In 2020, Infrastructure Australia collaborated with global management consulting firm L.E.K Consulting to produce the Infrastructure beyond COVID-19 report. Its main findings regarding the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and Australia's water infrastructure were that:
• The pandemic has had a relatively minor direct impact on the water sector, as water infrastructure lasts from 30 to 200 years and is built in response to long-term projections of population and climate.6
• Projections predict Australia's population growth will slow down because of the pandemic, so increased demand on water services is not expected until two and a half years later than previously anticipated.
• Because the pandemic has changed work and social behaviour, more people are moving from cities to regional areas than before the pandemic. If this trend continues, it could put pressure on regional water utilities.
• More customers are seeking hardship support from water utilities, potentially affecting capacity to invest in future capital programs.