In 2021, supply chain disruptions, catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic, impacted industries across the world. The water and wastewater sector was no stranger to these impacts, with many utilities having to adjust their operations as access to some supplies dwindled. Indeed, last summer WaterISAC reported on the Chlorine supply chain disruptions which affected many utilities. Additionally, according to a recent survey by the American Water Works Association, 72 percent of water utilities are facing difficulties obtaining pipes or other infrastructure components. And more than 45 percent reported issues with purchases of electronic equipment and chemicals.

The silver lining to these disruptions has been providing utilities with the opportunity to plan and prepare for supply chain disruptions in multiple contingencies to increase their overall resilience. Thus, moving forward utilities can take proactive steps to identify risks and plan ahead for any disruptive contingency. Some steps include employing asset management software, such as enterprise asset management (EAM) systems and asset investment planning (AIP) solutions, which can help prioritize risk and maintenance activities, help diversify avenues of supply, and save money. Organizations should also track supply and demand trends and adjust their planning timeframe for ordering additional supplies based on current market realities. Finally, utilities should test their supply chain strategies to ensure continued operations during unexpected contingencies. Read more at Water and Wastes Digest.