Evidence to support setting new resilience standards for the water sector

The water industry provides critical services that the public, nature, and our economy depend on every day. Failure to maintain a resilient water supply and wastewater system – broadly meaning here one which can continue to perform its functions despite pressures and shocks – can have disastrous consequences. For wastewater, failures by companies to build, maintain and operate resilient sewerage systems can risk harm to public health and the environment. Failure to maintain a resilient water supply system can lead to greater risk of harm to the environment, limitations to growth for both household and commercial sectors and supply interruptions to households, businesses, hospitals and schools. Prolonged supply interruptions could cause devastating economic and social impacts, including harm to public health.

The current regulatory regime requires water companies to meet, and continue to be able to meet, their obligations to maintain a