Company profile: western water - Case Study Example

Company Profile: Western Water By Your Number) Overview Western Water has developed a water plan for 2008 under the guidance of customer and community groups, along with the Water Industry Regulatory Order 2003 and Western Water's Statement of Obligations. The completed plan is to be turned over to the Essential Services Commission as soon as possible. Then, the final prices of the water will be determined and the plan in its entirety will be evaluated against the principles of the Water Industry Regulatory Order (Anon., 2010). The prices set forth by Western Water must be satisfactory to the Essential Services Commission.

At the same time, the revenue generated by Western Water must be sufficient enough to deliver proper services to the community and to meet the company's general obligations in a timely fashion (Anon., 2010). Certain factors have contributed to the development of the Water Plan that is outlined herein. Climate change and the growing uncertainty of drought have been the two major factors contributing to the development of the plan. Below average rainfall has occurred in the area serviceable by the company for over a decade, contributing to the challenges of the company.

Some of the impacted areas include a lower income with regard to water usage, a rise in the cost of purchasing bulk amounts of water from external sources, and the costs associated with creating awareness of the problem and campaigns for conservation in the community. The first regulatory period took place over 2005-2008. During that time frame, about $9.98 million was lost due to drought and decreased water usage (Anon., 2010). Organisational Structure The organization follows the standard structure as far as leadership is concerned.

The company strives to involve their managers in strategic human resources development; provide education, training, and development to all staff; offer new graduate programs; offer traineeships; take part in improved performance reviews (both internal and external); provide workshops and engage all company staff on their Values as outlined in the Plan; develop and deliver an employee survey throughout the company; enhance their Recognition and Well-Being Programs; implement software programs that will support human resources; and utilize external job evaluation reviews (Anon., 2010). Strategic Plan Western Water has a clear Vision, Purpose, Strategic Pathways, Balanced Scorecard and Values.

As a whole, this system is referred to as the company's Belief System. Their Vision is, "to be a leading service provider working with our community towards a sustainable future." Their purpose is to, "contribute to healthy communities by meeting their current and future water service needs." In addition, "To achieve the Vision and Purpose, three strategic pathways have been developed: To drive an environmentally sustainable future, to proactively manage our destiny, and to be a leading service provider as judged by our customers and the wider community.

Each pathway is designed to enable key issues to be addressed and to ensure that Western Water creates a distinct signature in terms of a strong local presence, with an emphasis on the customer and community, sustainability, the environment, sound financial management and innovation." (Anon., 2010) Corporate Social Responsibility "Western Water expects to continue to work co-operatively with key stakeholders to achieve wide community aims, including working with our bulk water suppliers to secure water supplies.

In addition, Western Water intends to actively participate in regional initiatives that may affect our community, such as participating in projects involving AgriWest, the Werribee Plains Vision 2, Caroline Springs Feasibility Study 3, and the Bacchus Marsh Irrigation District 4." (Anon., 2010) Customer Responsiveness and Quality Western Water plans to continue to work carefully with both their customers and the community in order to mutually benefit both the company and its customers. First of all, this means that water will have to be delivered safely, as well as all other required services.

These services will require that the delivery takes place in both a sustainable and efficient manner, one that will meet the obligations of the company's customer charter (Anon., 2010). Throughout the time frame of the regulatory period, Western Water will, "review its communication and consultation framework to ensure customers and community members are engaged in discussions on decisions that affect them; continue to implement its revised Hardship Policy to assist customers in need; deliver water conservation goals set out in the CRSWS and WSDS through community education and innovative community projects; accelerate communication with industrial and commercial users regarding opportunities to improve water conservation; and work with Melbourne Water to ensure a smooth introduction of the Waterways charge to customers in Western Water's region who will benefit from the outcomes." (Anon., 2010) References Western Water. 2010. Water Plan 2008-2013.

Western Water.