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Water contingency planning ensures your business can continue operating if your water supply is disrupted. Whether you’re a small office or a large manufacturing site, losing access to water can have serious consequences. A well-prepared plan helps minimise downtime and keep your business running smoothly.
Water contingency planning is a backup plan that helps your business manage disruptions to its water supply. Every business relies on water in some way, from offices that need water for hygiene and tea to production facilities that depend on it for manufacturing processes.
Without a contingency plan, an unexpected water outage can lead to significant disruption. This may mean sending staff home for office-based businesses, while production sites could face costly downtime, missed order quotas, and financial losses. By preparing in advance, you can reduce the risks and protect your operations.
Putting a water contingency plan in place is straightforward and involves the following three key steps.
A water expert will visit your business to assess your water usage. This water audit determines how much water your business would need in an emergency.
Your tailored water plan will outline the delivery process, the volume of water your business can expect, and clear instructions so staff know what to do during a supply disruption.
You’ll receive an estimated timeframe for emergency water delivery based on your audit, location, and business type.
If your water supply is interrupted, follow these steps based on whether or not you have a contingency plan in place.
If you don’t have a contingency plan:
If you have a contingency plan:
Key benefit of a contingency plan
While your supplier and wholesaler work to restore the main supply, your emergency water delivery ensures your business operations continue without disruption.
A water contingency plan is crucial for businesses that rely on water for more than just basic facilities. Industries that depend on water as part of their core operations should consider implementing a plan to avoid costly disruptions.
Even smaller businesses can face significant disruption if their water supply is interrupted, impacting essential facilities like toilets, washrooms, and kitchens.
Water is essential for irrigation, livestock, and crop production. Any disruption can severely impact yields and animal welfare.
Water is a key ingredient in beverage manufacturing, making a constant supply vital to production.
Food production facilities rely heavily on water for cleaning equipment, processing ingredients, and maintaining hygiene standards.
Power plants and energy facilities rely on water for cooling systems and to generate electricity.
Hotels, restaurants, and leisure venues need water for guest facilities, cleaning, and food preparation.
Manufacturing processes often require water for cooling, cleaning, or as part of the production process.
Many factors can interrupt your water supply, and without a contingency plan in place, these disruptions can seriously impact your business. By understanding the most common causes, you can reduce the risk and ensure your business continues operating smoothly if an issue arises.
Visit our full guide on business water interruptions for more information.
Damaged or ageing pipes can crack or burst, causing sudden water loss or commercial water leaks that disrupt your supply.
Issues within the wider water network, such as maintenance work or system failures, can temporarily cut off your water supply.
If contamination is detected, your water supply may be halted to prevent unsafe water from reaching your premises.
Reduced water pressure can significantly impact your water flow, slowing down essential processes or halting production.
Regular pipe maintenance can help identify small leaks early and prevent them from developing into major issues that could disrupt your business.
A water supply disruption can lead to several indirect costs that may significantly impact your business. These can include:
Failing to meet contractual deadlines for order fulfilment can result in costly penalties.
Production halts due to a water supply issue can reduce output and lost sales.
Once the water supply is restored, staff may need to work overtime to catch up on delayed production.
Non-compliance with industry regulations due to halted processes may lead to fines or legal consequences.
Delays and service interruptions can damage customer relationships and harm your business reputation.
While AquaSwitch does not directly provide water contingency plans, our water experts can connect you with trusted suppliers that do. We recommend the following three business water suppliers that offer reliable contingency plans:
Wave Utilities is a trusted business water supplier that provides tailored contingency plans designed to keep your business running during unexpected water supply disruptions. Their expert team will assess your water usage and develop a plan to suit your business needs.
Water Plus offers comprehensive water contingency plans, ensuring you have a clear process in place for emergencies. They specialise in supporting businesses of all sizes with effective solutions to minimise disruption.
Source for Business provides tailored water contingency plans designed to support a wide range of industries. Their team can advise on emergency water storage, delivery solutions, and best practices to keep your business running smoothly during a disruption.
Use our simple business water comparison service to find the best deal and save thousands on your business water rates. Follow these three easy steps:
Enter your business postcode in our simple form and provide some basic information about your business.
Our experts will provide you with your water comparison, showing you a range of suppliers with competitive rates and helping you identify the best deal.
Choose your preferred supplier, and we’ll handle the business water switch to ensure a seamless transition, helping you save money on your water bills.