Top10 List 

Pandemic & 

Natural Disasters 

Notebook 

Updating Emergency Response 


Plans (ERP) for Drinking Water 


& Wastewater Systems

Top10 List 

Pandemic & 

Natural Disasters 

Notebook 

Updating Emergency Response 


Plans (ERP) for Drinking Water 


& Wastewater Systems

THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP IS TO 


UPDATE YOUR EMERGENCY 


RESPONSE PLAN


During a natural disaster or pandemic emergency, 


it should be assumed that water systems could have 


severe shortages in staffing and disruptions in the 


supply chain. There is also potential for disruption of 


communications, transportation, services, 


utilities and public safety.


Top

10 

Refer to these tips and make notes to 

update your Emergency Response Plan. 

Review 


Your ERP


10


Review and update your 


emergency response plan, including 


identification of critical functions and 


supplies, that will need coverage.


Plan for operating with severe 


staff shortages (40-60%). 


Prepare


Yourself


9


Prepare yourself, your family and 


your home first (see “Are You Ready?” 


guide and CDC guide: 


www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic/healthtips.htm). 


Have policies in place that allow 


workers to take care of families, but still 


provide adequate staffing. 


Examine Workforce 


Alternatives


8


Examine workforce alternatives: mutual 


aid agreements with area communities, 


contingency plans with contract operators, 


and cross training within town departments 


and utilities. Evaluate and test safe and 


secure use of automation. (e.g., SCADA)


Collect Utility


Information


7


Create and maintain both an on-site and 

off-site emergency kit. Compile emergency 

contacts, updated utility diagrams/maps of the 

system, O&M manuals, standard operating 

procedures, and critical customer information. 

Also, maintain extra sets of facility keys at 

multiple secure locations. 

Conduct a 


“Walk Through” 


6


Conduct a “walk through” tour of your 

facility with your local emergency responders 

and alternate operators to familiarize them. 

Make sure all valves and equipment are 

clearly and accurately labeled. 

Have a 


Communications 


Strategy


5


Have a communications strategy. Include ways 

to communicate emergency updates with the 

state and customers. Develop standard 

language for various public notices, including: 

Do Not Drink, Boil Water Notices, etc. 

Stock Supplies


4


Stock supplies and chemicals safely and 


securely. If space is an issue, have backup 


vendor contact information up-to-date and 


available. Ensure that all applicable 


regulations are complied with when 


storing chemicals on-site.


Exercise


Generators


3


Exercise emergency generators under load. 


Also, have plans in place for receiving 


fuel in an emergency.


Employee


Preparations


2


Consider preparations for employees 


remaining at work for extended periods. 


This could include adequate sleeping 


arrangements, food, water, medical 


supplies, communication links, etc. 


Practice


1


Practice, practice, practice your 


Emergency Response Plan! 


...and wash your hands!

Other Links:


www.epa.gov/naturalevents/


www.epa.gov/safewater/watersecurity/


www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic/


www.pandemicflu.gov


www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/


www.fema.gov/


www.redcross.org/services/disaster/


www.waterisac.org


www.watersc.org

r

This especially durable synthetic sub-


straight enters the waste stream at a far 


slower rate than conventional papers. 


A category 5 polypropylene (PP) 


plastic film, it is fully recyclable and will 


remain inert in any approved landfill. 


Safely incinerated in a modern incinerator 


with an atmosphere of excess oxygen, 


it will yield only water, carbon 


dioxide, and ash.

10. Review Your ERP

 9. Prepare Yourself

 8. Examine Workforce Alternatives

 7. Collect Utility Information

 6. Conduct a “Walk Through” 

5. Have a Communications Strategy

 4. Stock Supplies

 3. Exercise Generators

 2. Employee Preparations

 1. Practice 

Top10 List • At-a-Glance 

EPA-901-E-06-001 

April 2006 

Drinking 

Water 

Security 

www.epa.gov/ne/eco/drinkwater/