Focus July 2020

Water Sector Systems Thinking Systems Thinking can be used to address the most pressing issues facing our water companies, looking at the synergies between people, processes, systems and technology to drive radical, and necessary, transformation in the water industry. Systems Thinking can be used to address the most pressing issues facing our water companies, looking at the synergies between people, processes, systems and technology to drive radical, and necessary, transformation in the water industry. I recently read a BBC Future article by Tim Smedley on “Why Britain’s rain can’t sustain its thirst”. It reported that in the South-East of England, the average annual rainfall is around 500- 600mm – less than South Sudan, or Perth, Western Australia. This region also happens to be the UK’s most populated area, with around 18 million inhabitants living in just 19,000 sq km. And its drying out. Last year saw six consecutive months of below average rainfall in England, causing many reservoirs to run dangerously low. The previous year, 2017, saw the driest 10-month period for more than 100 years. Furthermore, climate change projections indicate that the chance of dry summers is going to increase by up to 50% with greater variability and extremes in weather. The public perception is that we are a wet country and water is not something that we need to save. Whereas, the latest Government Water Abstraction plan shows that 28% of groundwater aquifers in England, and up to 18% of rivers and reservoirs, are unsustainably abstracted. And only 17% of England’s rivers are classified as being in ‘good ecological health’. The UK’s water companies are facing a mounting challenge, with aging infrastructure, population growth and a changing climate, alongside a commitment to become a carbon neutral business by 2025. The southeast is already water- stressed, contains many ecologically sensitive wetlands and has a low-lying topography that supports some of the most significant agricultural production in the UK. Consequently, it is vital to identify the conditions required to secure the most cost-efficient allocation of scarce water resources. Resilient water and wastewater services have always been an important focus. It will continue to be a priority for customers, society, governments and wider stakeholders. The scale, nature and complexity of new and emerging challenges facing our water companies, requires novel and innovative technology to deliver the levels of resilience customers want and can afford now and in the long term. Ofwat’s “Resilience in the round” report describes how water and wastewater services are made up of a complex set of operational, corporate, and financial systems. They are also linked with a wide range of other systems. These include the broader natural environment, social systems, the economy and agriculture. These macro systems also operate in association with infrastructure systems such as communications and energy networks and highways drainage. Impacts on any of these related systems can impact water and wastewater service delivery and society. As the great Donella Meadows (Thinking in Systems: A Primer) said “there are no separate systems. The world is a continuum. Where to draw a boundary around a system depends on the purpose of the discussion.” As we look to overcome the challenges in our water sector it will be essential for water companies to understand the interrelationships and interdependences across the systems underpinning their service delivery and society. By taking a more behavioural systems- based approach, they will be able to see the bigger picture, and benefit from better customer engagement, better planning and greater value options to deliver long term resilience. [email protected] Managing Director, Environment UK Matthew has a doctorate in 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics and wide-ranging experience in 2D and 1D numerical modelling. He has acted as technical expert on numerous UK and international flood risk related projects for private and public sector customers. He is a customer focused consultant, providing innovative and practical solutions to a range of water and environmental issues. An expert in computational modelling and the use of simulation as an engineering tool to predict and evaluate system behaviour, develop management strategies and support decision- making to help reduce risk to people, property and the environment. Mat Roberts 33 2 32