Water supply systems encounter significant challenges due to escalating competition for decreasing and deteriorating freshwater resources, which is anticipated to be further exacerbated by climate change. These systems may be susceptible to gradual stresses over time, such as temperature changes and droughts, as well as sudden shocks, including floods, coastal storms and major earthquakes. 

We have supported the CEO Water Mandate to develop the Water Resilience Assessment Framework (WRAF). The WRAF aims to help build water systems that are resilient to the inevitable shocks and stresses they will experience. The WRAF was launched in August 2021 and guides users in characterising the challenges faced by the system and developing, testing and refining strategies to maintain resilience. It offers ways to assess the resilience of these strategies and suggests actions that could apply in different conditions. 

In August 2024, the Guidance for Basin Managers and Planning Authorities was released. The guidance highlights the interconnected nature of water systems, empowering basin managers and planners to identify impactful actions to strengthen water resilience. It also introduces practical tools to select and track the most relevant indicators, assess the current state of water resilience and keep stakeholders informed on progress. Access the published documents and read more about the WRAF here.