Do water utilities exhibit characteristics of high organisational reliability? Here, the reported characteristics of high reliability organisations (HROs) were explored within a regional water utility, and specifically within their incident response team. We found the utility well positioned to manage incidents and that many HRO principles were identifiable as management practice under these trying conditions. The observance of HRO principles contributed to the resilience of the organisation and toward the maintenance of a safe and reliable drinking water supply. An investigation of technical reliability in the system showed that the utility invested heavily in automated monitoring and control systems and took a differentiated, risk-based approach towards resource allocation to that of HROs, which maintain existing technology with zero tolerance of defective, substandard or malfunctioning equipment.
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Research Article|
December 01 2011
Managing incidents in the water utility sector – towards high reliability? Available to Purchase
Roland Bradshaw;
1Collaborative Centre of Excellence in Understanding and Managing Natural and Environmental Risks, School of Applied Sciences, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, UK
E-mail: [email protected]
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Áine M. Gormley;
Áine M. Gormley
1Collaborative Centre of Excellence in Understanding and Managing Natural and Environmental Risks, School of Applied Sciences, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, UK
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Jeffrey W. Charrois;
Jeffrey W. Charrois
2Curtin Water Quality Research Centre, GPO Box U1987 Perth, Western Australia 6845
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Steve E. Hrudey;
Steve E. Hrudey
3Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Canada
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Nancy J. Cromar;
Nancy J. Cromar
4School of the Environment, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Australia
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Daniel Jalba;
Daniel Jalba
4School of the Environment, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Australia
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Simon J. T. Pollard
Simon J. T. Pollard
1Collaborative Centre of Excellence in Understanding and Managing Natural and Environmental Risks, School of Applied Sciences, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, UK
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Water Supply (2011) 11 (5): 631–641.
Article history
Received:
March 14 2011
Accepted:
June 29 2011
Citation
Roland Bradshaw, Áine M. Gormley, Jeffrey W. Charrois, Steve E. Hrudey, Nancy J. Cromar, Daniel Jalba, Simon J. T. Pollard; Managing incidents in the water utility sector – towards high reliability?. Water Supply 1 December 2011; 11 (5): 631–641. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/ws.2011.069
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