What is water disruption?
Clean water and food are essential for life. A disruption to the water supply can impact drinking, cooking, washing, toilet flushing and cleaning. Making sure everyone has enough clean water is crucial for our health and well-being.
A water disruption would impact everyone in the affected area, but especially the following groups:
- babies and young children
- older adults
- people with long term health conditions
The water that flows out of our taps comes from water treatment works. If a water treatment plant stops working, it can cause problems with getting clean water. The water companies have contingency plans and work together to ensure a supply of water. Whilst there are these plans in place, it is important to know what we can do individually to prepare for a failure in the water supply.
Local Risk Rating
Very High
What does the Local Resilience Forum do to prepare?
During a disruption, the water provider has a legal requirement to make 10 litres of water per person per day available to customers, once customers have been without water for 24 hours. This can be through bottled water, stand pipes or bowsers.
The Local Resilience Forum works with water providers before a disruption to create plans and conduct exercises on providing this water. During a disruption the Local Resilience Forum supports the water provider; helping to establish water collection sites, identify vulnerable people and support sensitive sites – like hospitals, prisons and care homes.
Associated risks
Heavy Rain – After heavy rain, the quality of river water reduces, which means that the chemicals that are used to clean the water aren’t as effective. Water companies may need to make changes to their usual processes to ensure the treated water meets all quality standards.
Cold weather – If the weather changes from cold to warm quickly, the metal pipes expand and shrink, which can cause pipes to burst, and impact supply.
Drought – Long periods without rain mean that Water Treatment Works, which are fed by rivers, reservoirs or boreholes, may not be able to create enough drinking water. You may be asked to reduce your non-essential water usage, including not watering your garden or washing your car.
Loss of utilities – Water Treatment Works run on electricity, so in a power outage they rely on backup generators. These generators can help make some water but might not be able to make as much as usual.
How can you prepare?
Before
Sign up to the Priority Services Register (if eligible)
Discuss the Priority Services Register with friends and family
Ensure you have a supply of bottled water (stored in a cool dark place, and within its use-by-date)
Use a water/rain butt to collect water for gardening and flushing toilets.
During
Report the problem to the company that supplies your water
Stay informed and follow guidance
Check on vulnerable neighbours
If you feel unwell call your GP or 111
After
After a water outage your water may look, smell or taste a little different. Try running your tap for a few minutes to see if it clears
Contact your water provider if you continue to have problems with your water supply
Helpful links and resources
Priority Services Register
The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a free UK wide service which provides extra advice and support, including when there’s an interruption to your electricity, gas or water supply.
