Page 52 - Risk Report 2024

IRMSA
52 RISK REPORT 2024/25
Scenario:

What it can look like if it happens now

Cholera breaks out across a water network, the bulk water system becomes toxic, and contaminated water is
distributed to communities.

Immediate resilience/emergency

preparedness: Medium impact in the

short term

Water resilience strategy Wastewater management

Implement water resource strategy (effective Monitor wastewater and invest in technology to
allocation models and plans for drought, floods, treat polluted water before discharge to drainage
storage, evaporation, pollution, localised water system or dams.
harvesting, and treatment plants).

Water infrastructure Supply Security
Maintain water reticulation infrastructure on sites Ensure water reservoirs are adequate for the
(organisations), and water plants and reticulation communities they serve.
infrastructure (water authorities).

Education Consumption Management
Educate public on water scarcity, conservation, Incorporate progressive water consumption
pollution and treatment/purification (integrate limitation sanctions on excessive usage for
indigenous methods). organisations and households.

Protect and manage dams Crisis Response and Preparedness
• Suspend or vary water use rights when water • Prepare and install water storage and back-up
levels in dams are projected to be low (water systems (e.g. above and underground storage
restrictions). tanks).
• Implement water limits per day for generally • Implement potable water storage at work sites
high quantity water consumers. to augment backup tanks if main supply and
• Protect dams, dam feeding streams/rivers/ backup water runs out.
boreholes holding water for public consumption • Harvest rainwater, collect stormwater, and
against water pollution or alteration. install boreholes and small-scale water
• Strengthen physical security at dams and purification plants on sites.
boreholes through site inspections, test water, • Invest in water filtration or alternative
and act sternly against perpetrators. purification and desalination solutions to
• Mitigate water evaporation from dams recycle, reuse, repurpose grey water.
• Influence efficient usage (e.g. wastewater for
agricultural and mining activities, mandating
mining and manufacturing companies to remove
waste from grey water to reduce pollution,
installing water saving taps, toilets and related
solutions).
• Develop drought contingency plans, early
warning systems, and implement water rationing