WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT DURING SUPPLY DISRUPTIONS RAND WATER RIETVLEI INDABA AUDITORIUM Lelethu Bungu 18 February 2015

INTRODUCTION  “ When the well runs dry, we learn the worth of water.” Benjamin Franklin Reducing risk and strengthening resiliency to overcome adverse effects How can we become better prepared to respond effectively if water supply is compromised.

OVERVIEW  PURPOSE  SCOPE  SEPTEMBER 2014 INCIDENT  HOW WATER QUALITY WAS MANAGED  SWOT Analysis  ASPECTS TO BE MANAGED DURING WATER SUPPLY DISRUPTION  OPEN DISCUSSION  WAY FORWARD

PURPOSE  Enhance water quality management during water supply disruptions  establish actions and procedures to be followed  PLANNED AND UNPLANNED DISRUPTIONS  Minimise the water quality impact on the consumer – minimise health risks  Maintain consumer confidence in tap water quality (communication)  Maintain the credibility of organisations within the supply chain

SCOPE  Quantity and quality are linked (there could be a knock on effect on quality)  Presentation is limited to water quality issues  Water supply disruption may be due to many reasons (planned or unplanned), for example: Pipe burst Power failure Equipment failure Water contamination Commissioning new pipeline/reservoir Refurbishment of treatment plant Drought

SEPTEMBER 2014 INCIDENT  Dates/duration: 15 th Sept to 10 th Oct  Causes: Power supply problem  Rand Water Sites affected: Vg treatment plant, Eikenhof, Palmiet and Mapleton (Booster sites)  Impacts Rand Water and Municipal reservoir levels decreased, Consumer supply disruptions, Increased through put at the treatment plants

HOW WATER QUALITY WAS MANAGED  Additional activities performed Daily “war room” meeting between WQSS and Ops, Reviewed and analysed current data, Made recommendations of operational changes and additional monitoring needs (increased frequency of existing sample points, addition of non routine sample points, additional QC and QA analysis) Focus was put of the following water quality determinands to protect consumer health (Acute): – Crypto and Giardia – Bacteriological determinands – Turbidity – Residual disinfectant

HOW WATER QUALITY WAS MANAGED  Additional activities performed Arranged for additional testing with laboratory, Issued daily water quality status reports to internal stakeholders, arrange for non water quality data to be available at the “war room” meeting (e.g. Reservoir levels), Soliciting feedback from Municipalities on water quality status The Call Centre was primed: – To ensure that one message is communicated to the consumers – To prepare for potential of more queries than the norm  Outcomes No water quality problems detected No increased call traffic on water quality issues received by the Call Centre

SWOT  Strengths Good water quality management capacity within the organisation: – Credible water quality testing ability – Availability of water quality data – Cooperation between staff from different departments and divisions  Weaknesses Inadequate communication to and from Municipalities Inadequate communication within the organisation No defined plan/protocol for managing water supply disruptions within Rand Water and between Rand Water and Municipalities

SWOT  Opportunities Increase capacity to address consumer complaint queries Establish contingency fund to manage such incidents specific to water quality (there is CE reserve fund) Integrated process between Rand Water and Municipalities to manage water quality  Threats Expected load shedding trend in future Inability to provide alternative water supply (distance from raw water source, large population density) Water loses through the supply system

ASPECTS TO BE MANAGED DURING WATER SUPPLY DISRUPTION  Definition of potential disruption and responses  Typical water quality risks during these incidents and mitigation measures  Involvement of all stakeholders in the supply chain

ASPECTS TO BE MANAGED DURING WATER SUPPLY DISRUPTION  Need for documented procedures  Staff educated and competent in the procedure  Need to share operational information with other participants in the supply chain

ASPECTS TO BE MANAGED DURING WATER SUPPLY DISRUPTION  Communication: Singular communication system: internal and external Communications to be conducted by industry technically literate person to ensure: – Unified message and approach – Consistency

ASPECTS TO BE MANAGED DURING WATER SUPPLY DISRUPTION  Communication: Internal staff to be well educated and informed Regular education/awareness program for end consumers (risks and how to mitigate including boil water/local disinfection know how) Single incident management centre for all participants in the supply chain

ASPECTS TO BE MANAGED DURING WATER SUPPLY DISRUPTION  How to distribute water equitably during water shortages – result in public support and cooperation  Availability of resources for contingency actions e.g. additional water quality monitoring  Need for rapid/potable water quality testing capability  Provision of alternate water supply and managing the water quality thereof  Increase water quality monitoring

ASPECTS TO BE MANAGED DURING WATER SUPPLY DISRUPTION  Educate/ inform end consumers  Real time knowledge of water quality in the supply chain  singular 24/7 incident management office for the total supply chain  flexible operational capability

OPEN DISCUSSION

WAY FORWARD  T here is a need to integrate LA and RW activities/decisions/actions for such incidents with the input of the Municipalities  Rand Water to develop and establish protocol to manage such incidents

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