Emergency Planning

Water is vital to life no matter where you are on the planet. The capacities to live, make food, and maintain hygiene are dependant on a supply of safe water. In an event that disrupts daily routine, residents need water to cure disease, extinguish fires or avoid evacuation. Essentially, water is important to everyday life. It cannot stop flowing when disasters occur. Operating a water plant comes with a responsibility to the public trust. Water system operators should be ready to work when others are expecting to stay home.

Having a plan for any type of disaster is the first step to being prepared. Below are various topics to consider when planning for an emergency. Planning happens in a cycle. Prepare your system using the documents found in each subtopic below.

Emergency Planning Cycle

Emergency Planning Areas

Emergency Resources

• Advisories and Notices
• Emergency Management Plans
• NC Water Warn - Mutual Aid
• Table Top Exercises
• National Incident Management System and Incident Command System
• Regional Office Emergency Phone Numbers

Emergency Types

• Pandemic Flu/Communicable Disease Planning
• Hurricane Planning
• Winter Storm Planning

Emergency Planning Guidance

• America's Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA)
  • In 2018, America's Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) was signed into law. AWIA Section 2013 requires community (drinking) water systems serving more than 3,300 people to develop or update Risk Assessments and Emergency Response Plans (ERPs). The law specifies the components that the risk assessments and ERPs must address and establishes deadlines by which water systems must certify to EPA completion of the risk assessment and ERP.
• Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  • Water Safety Precautions for Transient Water Systems
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Federal Emergency Management Agency - Emergency Management Guide