Risk assessment framework for the supply of water during a crisis

Abstract

A city's water supply system is often vulnerable to natural hazards and artificial threats. The provision of clean and healthy water is a main lifeline for victims in temporary shelters and remaining residents in the aftermath period. During a crisis, lack of an emergency water supply plan increases the number of casualties. The aim of this research was to develop a supply plan for emergency water during a disaster by introducing a comprehensive risk assessment. Software (Arc-GIS and Scenario Wizard) was used to prepare emergency plans and reduce casualties due to a natural disaster in Kermanshah city, Iran, as a case study. To achieve this, three phases were carried out. In the first phase, vulnerability and destruction scenarios were determined using cross-impact balance analysis based on descriptors and their interactive variables. In the second phase, risk zonation maps for drinking water supply were developed by using geographical data and superposing different layers. In the third phase, distribution maps were developed for three grades of support and supply centres, implemented for Kermanshah city with an earthquake considered as the main disruption event.