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.
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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.