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The absence of water within a workplace can have far-reaching consequences.  

By Robert Erasmus, MD at Sanitech

Water is a fundamental resource for businesses across all sectors. Its absence due to outages can significantly disrupt operations, impacting productivity, employee well-being, and overall business continuity. To mitigate these challenges, proactive planning and the implementation of effective water management strategies are essential.

The absence of water within a workplace can have far-reaching consequences. Productivity suffers as essential tasks reliant on water, such as handwashing, equipment cleaning, and food preparation, become hindered. Operational disruptions are inevitable as processes – from manufacturing to hospitality service – experience delays or even shutdowns.

Moreover, employee health and well-being is compromised due to the lack of water for sanitation and hygiene. Ultimately, down time and customer dissatisfaction may arise from service interruptions, in addition to health and safety risks.With water outages likely to increase in frequency and duration across South Africa, it is important for businesses to minimise the disruption by adopting a proactive approach. Comprehensive contingency planning is critical, and organisations will need to put in place arrangements for emergency procedures, roles, responsibilities, communication protocols, and contact information.

Furthermore, it is essential to equip employees with knowledge about water conservation, emergency procedures, and their roles during outages.

In addition to implementing water-saving practices throughout the workplace, such as fixing leaks, installing efficient fixtures, and promoting responsible usage, industries are advised to examine ways to reduce their consumption. Here, water treatment and circular reuse are critical components of a comprehensive water management strategy and by incorporating these practices, businesses can enhance water efficiency, reduce costs, and contribute to sustainable water management. These practices not only build resilience to water outages but also position the company as a responsible corporate citizen.

In addition to increased outages due to failing or overloaded water infrastructure, South Africa is facing a growing water crisis, with water shedding (the intentional reduction or interruption of water supply to manage shortages) becoming increasingly common. Investing in water and sanitation solutions will soon be essential for business continuity.

While on-site water storage can provide temporary relief, establishing long-term relationships with water treatment and sanitation providers is equally important. This proactive approach is essential to bypass potential delays caused by new customer onboarding processes during emergencies, guaranteeing a swift response when water outages occur.

Prioritising employee and customer well-being through the provision of portable sanitation facilities, handwashing stations, and sanitisers is vital. Maintaining open communication with employees about the outage situation and the steps being taken to address it is essential. Considering flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options or adjusted schedules, can minimise disruptions, while providing clear guidelines on hygiene practices and sanitation measures protects employee health.A well-managed response to water outages can protect and bolster a company’s reputation. The importance of keeping customers informed about service disruptions and any potential impacts on product quality or delivery cannot be overlooked. By implementing effective crisis communication strategies, trust and confidence can be maintained, while highlighting the organisation’s ability to adapt and overcome challenges reinforces its commitment to service excellence.

By prioritising proactive measures, investing in water and sanitation solutions before they’re needed, and focusing on employee well-being and customer satisfaction, businesses can effectively manage water outages and ensure operational continuity.