Jun-2024

Prepare for the unexpected with a first-aid water treatment plan

In today’s volatile business landscape, companies encounter a myriad of risks, ranging from production interruptions to climatic disasters and epidemics.

NSI Mobile Water Solutions

Article Summary

The Fortune Global 500 (FG500) manufacturing and industrial sectors alone endure an estimated 3.3 million hours of unplanned downtime annually, resulting in staggering financial losses amounting to $864 billion. NSI Mobile Water Solutions, a division of Nijhuis Saur Industries, underscores the critical importance of implementing a Business Continuity Plan. Particularly in industries where water plays a pivotal role, such a plan is indispensable for mitigating potential damages to production, finances, and reputation.

Establishing a business continuity plan
Recognising the impact of disruptions on business processes, organisations are increasingly prioritising the establishment of a Business Continuity Plan. The globally recognised ISO 22301:2019 ‘Business Continuity Management Systems’ standard enables companies to ensure continuity during unforeseen circumstances. It is crucial to consider clients’ expectations and establish a plan that allows for a timely response within acceptable timeframes. Building resilience through a Business Continuity Plan can become a competitive advantage.

Key Steps to Implementing a Business Continuity Plan
· Assess potential impacts of significant events.
· Plan response, prioritising essential services.
· Test plan’s effectiveness in emergency scenarios.
· Invest in risk management efforts.

These steps should involve a team from multiple departments to identify potential events that could disrupt business operations and develop effective response strategies. While consultancies specialising in disaster management can provide valuable assistance for high-risk/cost activities, businesses can manage the process internally and collaborate with key suppliers to mitigate risks and establish action plans.

Water Treatment Considerations
The industries that allocate the most resources to water management are often the most vulnerable to water-related risks. Among the largest consumers of water by volume are sectors such as power generation, oil and gas, chemicals, and mining. These industries face challenges related to water availability and maintaining their operational licenses.

Industrial operators of water treatment plants encounter persistent threats of disruptions, including equipment failures, breakdowns, supply fluctuations, and natural disasters. Mobile water treatment providers offer a solution for quick and efficient responses during water emergencies. Temporary water treatment systems can ensure continuous water treatment in various industrial scenarios.

NSI Mobile Water Solutions, (formerly known as Veolia Mobile Water Services Europe), with their ReAct ‘Treated Water Security’ plan, has been offering a free assessment of water treatment requirements, risk identification, and response planning for more than 15 years. Businesses that register for this plan receive a comprehensive business continuity audit, providing peace of mind and avoiding costly downtime in case of emergencies.
The audit includes an analysis of water requirements, a review of hoses and connections, an assessment of services and utilities, and the development of a comprehensive Business Continuity Plan. Registered customers receive priority service.

Expertise in ‘treated water security’ – a real-life examples
A customer supplying 400,000 tonnes of recycled newsprint annually faced a threat to their newsprint supplies when their water treatment plant failed. As part of their business contingency plan and being a ReAct registered customer, NSI Mobile Water Solutions quickly activated their treated water security plan. Within hours, they provided a mobile containerised reverse osmosis unit and ion exchange system, ensuring a continuous water supply of 120 m3/h without interrupting other production units.

Another client faced an urgent need for temporary treated water services following the failure of its on-site demineralisation plant. This plant was primarily used to produce silicon-reduced water for the paint shop. In response to the emergency, the client activated their ReAct contingency plan with Mobile Water Solutions (MWS). MWS promptly responded to the client’s needs, providing emergency water treatment for a two-week period. This ensured that production continued uninterrupted and that the required quality and quantity of water were maintained. Our services offer rapid implementation, a ‘pay-as-you-go’ flexible rental period, health and safety compliance with no onsite chemicals required, and comprehensive service and maintenance support.

Conclusion
Business Continuity Planning should be a priority for all companies. By carefully planning and implementing a Business Continuity Plan, businesses can minimise the potential impact of disasters and ensure resilience. Having a first-aid water treatment plan, such as the ReAct program offered by NSI Mobile Water Solutions, provides peace of mind and fulfills the requirements of ISO 22301:2019 Business Continuity Management Standard.