Scoping a new process for reservoir regulation based on risk

This project researches the processes and legislation required to carry out the Flood and Water Management Act’s requirement for risk-based regulation of reservoirs.

From:
Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Research and Development Programme and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Published
21 February 2021
Category:
Whole life asset management
Topics:
Asset maintenance, Asset monitoring, Asset performance, Deterioration, Health, safety and wellbeing, Reservoirs, Resilient infrastructure
Project status:
Completed
Project code:
FD2641
Date of completion:
30 November 2010

Documents

Scoping a new process for reservoir regulation based on risk - final report (1.2MB) PDF

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Details

This research was commissioned to scope a new approach to reservoir regulation based on risk. It provided the first stage in building the evidence required to develop new procedures for reservoir safety.

The objectives of this research project were to:

  • scope a new regulation framework based on risk for managing the safety of reservoirs - in line with the requirement that the effort should be in proportion to the level of risk at each reservoir
  • highlight where updates are needed to existing engineering guides to provide consistent risk-based support to reservoir safety management

The approach involved:

  • identifying and reviewing risks
  • engaging with stakeholder engagement
  • a scoping review of acceptable risk levels in current reservoir safety best practice and other comparable fields

The study showed there’s a willingness to move towards a risk-informed approach throughout the reservoir safety community. However, it’s also recognised that business capacity for change is limited and a number of difficult implementation issues need to be worked through.

This project started in January 2010 and was completed in November 2010 at a cost of £49,645.

Published 21 February 2021