Implications of Social Distancing Policies on Drinking Water Infrastructure: An Overview of the Challenges to and Responses of U.S. Utilities during the COVID-19 Pandemic
| Autor: | Nathalie Thelemaque, Kerry A. Kinney, Lina Sela, Lauryn A. Spearing, Kasey M. Faust, Mary Jo Kirisits, Lynn E. Katz, Jessica Kaminsky |
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| Rok vydání: | 2020 |
| Předmět: |
Sociotechnical system
Public economics social distancing policies business.industry Supply chain IT service continuity Social distance drinking water infrastructure management Water industry Article Chemistry (miscellaneous) Capital (economics) Pandemic Workforce population dynamics pandemic planning Environmental Chemistry Chemical Engineering (miscellaneous) Business Water Science and Technology |
| Zdroj: | ACS ES&T Water |
| ISSN: | 2690-0637 |
| Popis: | Social distancing policies (SDPs) implemented throughout the United States in response to COVID-19 have led to spatial and temporal shifts in drinking water demand and, for water utilities, created sociotechnical challenges. During this unique period, many water utilities have been forced to operate outside of design conditions with reduced workforce and financial capacities. Few studies have examined how water utilities respond to a pandemic; such methods are even absent from many emergency response plans. Here, we documented how utilities have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a qualitative analysis of 30 interviews with 53 practitioners spanning 28 U.S. water utilities. Our aim was to, first, understand the challenges experienced by utilities and changes to operations (e.g., demand and deficit accounts) and, second, to document utilities’ responses. Results showed that to maintain service continuity and implement SDPs, utilities had to overcome various challenges. These include supply chain issues, spatiotemporal changes in demand, and financial losses, and these challenges were largely dependent on the type of customers served (e.g., commercial or residential). Examples of utilities’ responses include proactively ordering extra supplies and postponing capital projects. Although utilities’ adaptations ensured the immediate provision of water services, their responses might have negative repercussions in the future (e.g., delayed projects contributing to aging infrastructure). This study explored the impacts of social distancing policies enacted due to COVID-19 on drinking water infrastructure management. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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