Emergency Preparedness and Planning

America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) – Risk and Vulnerability Assessment and Emergency Response Plan Resources for Water Systems

• Understanding state requirements for AWIA section 2018 recorded webinar created by ASDWA and the EPA.
• EPA’s resources on AWIA including background information, deadlines, certification process and training on how to conduct assessments and develop emergency response plans.
• Water systems can conduct a risk assessment using EPA’s online tool - VSAT Web 2.0.
• How to certify a risk assessment or emergency response plan by email, electronic or regular mail.
• Oregon Drinking Water Services Vulnerability Assessment and Emergency Response Plan Template. MS Word PDF

Power outages

• EPA’s power resilience guide provides information on how to use generators, fuel supply planning and other methods to increase water system resiliency.
• Quick facts about auxiliary power for water systems

Earthquakes

• 2001 earthquake risk evaluation pilot study for hospitals and water systems in Oregon from the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries.
• EPA’s earthquake resilience guide describes strategies that water systems can take to prepare for and lessen the effects of earthquakes.
• Guidance from FEMA on how to install seismic restraints for mechanical equipment

Flooding

• How water systems can increase their flood resiliency is an EPA guide for flooding preparation, response and recovery.
• What to do when your well has flooded offers guidance for private well owners. Developed by OHA Drinking Water Services.

Wildfires

• Wildfires: How Do They Affect Our Water Supplies? is an EPA article on how wildfires have an impact on drinking water supplies.
• FEMA’s wildfire hazard preparedness guide for water systems
• Home Builder’s Guide to Construction in Wildfire Zones describes how to create defensible space around your water system’s structures to reduce potential wildfire damage.

Drought

• Current drought conditions in Oregon from the U.S. Drought Portal
• Incident Action Checklist on how to prepare, respond and recover from a drought from the EPA.
• Drought Response and Recovery Guide for water systems including case studies from around the U.S. Developed by the EPA.

Cybersecurity

• 15 Cybersecurity Fundamentals for Water and Wastewater Utilities from the from Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (WaterISAC).
• Water Sector Cybersecurity Risk Management Guidance from the American Water Works Association (AWWA).

Water Conservation

• Saving water in Oregon factsheet, an introduction to Oregon’s water source and water issues from the EPA.
• Water saving tips and considerations for water providers by the Oregon Water Resources Department.
• Guidebook designed to assist water suppliers in preparing a Water Management Conservation Plan from the Oregon Water Resources Department.

Source Water Protection

Protecting your system’s water source whether it’s groundwater, surface water or GWUDI is vital to improving resiliency and ability to prepare and respond to emergencies and natural disasters. Planning for emergencies such as a contaminant spill near your source should be tailored to hazards identified in your source area. Water system personnel can develop source water protection strategies by identifying hazards, potential contaminants or land use practices that could impact their drinking water source. Examples of source water protection include reducing runoff pollution and sedimentation by restoring riparian zones and stabilizing stream banks, land protection or easements, limiting risky human activities in source water or wellhead protection areas and public education. For additional resources, visit Drinking Water Service’s source water protection page.

Chemical Storage

• The do’s and don’ts of chemical storage in a water treatment plant provided by EPA.

Hauling Water During an Emergency

• Drinking water hauling guidelines from Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Services

Emergency Response and Preparedness Trainings

• Strategies from the EPA on how to create resilient water systems
• Past webinars on water system security and critical infrastructure protection from the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA).
• The Incident Command System (ICS), National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the National Response Framework (NRF) are national standards for preparing for and managing emergency situations. These ICS and NIMS training videos made by the EPA can be useful for operators and staff in how to manage emergencies.
• EPA resilience training tools for water and wastewater utilities, includes how to plan for trainings, how to develop table top exercises, etc.
• Resilience Assessments Webinar. Introduction on conducting a Risk and Vulnerability Assessment from the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (WaterISAC).
• To help save human lives, hold regular earthquake drills in your water system with resources from The Great Oregon Shakeout.