The most significant single risk to public water supply is a failure in the chemical supply chain, according to the no-deal Brexit papers released by the Government yesterday.
The document, entitled Operation Yellowhammer and classified official sensitive, sets out what are described as the Government’s "reasonable worst case planning assumptions."
Public water services are likely to remain largely unaffected due to actions now being taken by water companies, according to the document. The likelihood of a failure in the chemical supply chain occurring is “considered low and the impact is likely to be localised, affecting up to 100,000s of people.”
The paper says the water companies are well prepared for any disruption with significant stocks of all critical chemicals, extensive monitoring of their chemical supply chains (including transportation and all deliveries) and mutual agreements in place.
However, the Yellowhammer document says that “urgent action may need to be taken” to make sure people continue to have access to clean water, in the event of a supply chain failure, or the need “to respond rapidly to other water supply incidents.”
It also highlights what it describes as “concurrent risks associated with autumn and winter such as severe weather ..and flooding”, saying these could “exacerbate a number of impacts and stretch resources of partners and responders.”
At a general level, Yellowhammer warns of the risks that “protest and counter-protests will take place across the UK and may absorb significant amounts of police resource. There may also be a rise in public disorder and community tensions.”
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