Operational resilience in Canadian water utilities: A practical path forward

Water and wastewater utilities have always planned for emergencies. But today’s challenges are becoming more complex, interconnected, and difficult to predict. Extreme weather, cyberattacks, supply chain disruptions, and workforce shortages can all affect a utility’s ability to deliver safe, reliable service.

In a recent article published in Influents magazine from the Water Environment Association of Ontario (WEAO), “Operational Resilience in Canadian Water Utilities: A Practical Path Forward,” Carollo’s Shawn Corrigan explores how utilities can move beyond simply identifying risks and begin embedding resilience into everyday operations.

Moving From Risk Assessments to Operational Resilience

Over the past decade, many utilities have strengthened their approach to risk management through frameworks such as AWWA J100, which helps utilities identify and prioritize threats based on their likelihood and potential consequences.

As Shawn explains, however, understanding risk is only part of the equation. The bigger challenge is turning that information into operational decisions that help utilities continue providing service when disruptions occur.

Rather than treating resilience as a planning exercise or a report that sits on a shelf, the article argues that resilience should become part of how a utility operates every day.

Building an Integrated Resilience Framework

The article outlines a practical approach that combines three established frameworks already familiar to many Canadian utilities: AWWA J100 for risk assessment, CSA Z1600 for emergency and continuity management, and Public Safety Canada’s All-Hazards Risk Assessment (AHRA).

Together, these frameworks help utilities identify risks, establish governance and continuity strategies, and test those plans through training and exercises. Instead of treating these activities as separate efforts, the integrated approach creates a continuous cycle of assessment, planning, testing, and improvement.

As Shawn notes, resilience becomes “part of how the utility operates, rather than a separate planning activity.”

Utilities Preparing for Emerging Risks

The article also highlights how an integrated resilience program can help utilities respond to newer challenges that extend beyond traditional emergency planning.

Cybersecurity is one example. As operational technology becomes increasingly connected, cyber threats can directly affect treatment processes and system operations, making cybersecurity an operational issue, not just an IT concern.

Supply chain disruptions present similar challenges. Shortages of treatment chemicals, equipment, or energy can significantly affect utility operations. By incorporating these risks into continuity planning and regularly testing response strategies, utilities can improve their ability to adapt to disruptions.

Creating a More Resilient Water Utility

According to Shawn, building resilience doesn’t require an entirely new program. Instead, it involves connecting existing tools and practices into a more cohesive operating model.

Simple steps, such as clarifying responsibilities, linking risk assessments to continuity planning, incorporating emerging risks, and conducting regular training and exercises, can help utilities strengthen their ability to respond to changing conditions.

Read the full article in Influents magazine to learn how operational resilience can help utilities move beyond emergency planning and build stronger, more adaptable water and wastewater systems.