Project/company overview
Seqwater is increasingly challenged by how to prepare for the impacts of climate change. A key focus is on asset resilience, involving investment in physical assets to protect them and the communities they serve from these impacts, such as inland and coastal flooding, storm surge, rising temperatures, and sea-level rise.
Problem
A water treatment plant, responsible for producing 1,000 megalitres of drinking water per day, is situated in a region impacted by multiple flood events over the past decade. These events triggered the organisation to conduct an asset and operational risk assessment which found a high risk of inundation that could lead to the failure of critical electrical infrastructure. A loss of electrical supply would stifle water supply from the plant, with the estimated loss quantified at 1/3 of the organisation’s water supply capability for up to 6 months. This would result in a significant impact on local communities and surrounding industry.
Outcome
Adaptus worked in collaboration with Seqwater to integrate scenario planning and sensitivity analysis into the assessment of climate resilience options through an interactive dynamic decision model. The dynamic decision tool assisted executive decision-makers to connect with the problem, improve knowledge of options, help clarify what matters most, and understand the implications of each option in a more simple and visual way. The tool was accessible in via a web-based platform allowing key stakeholders to access the relevant information as needed.
Value
The use of the dynamic decision tool allowed the executive team to gain greater clarity regarding the trade-offs between cost, risk exposure, and the long-term benefits in a live environment to inform their decision. organisations to adapt to climate change-driven risks based on informed decision-making.
