Many facilities operate with computerized systems to distribute safe drinking water and treat and discharge wastewater and are vulnerable to Y2K related problems.
Communities rely on treatment facilities to ensure a safe, clean, drinking water supply.
While most of these facilities will operate without any problem, some are likely to suffer problems that are Y2K related, according to a report by the Center for Y2K and Society and the Natural Resources Defense Council. The Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies reported in July 1999 that only 51 of its 250 members responded to a survey on the Y2K readiness of the wastewater industry. In their 100 day report, The Senate Y2K Committee acknowledged that they were surprised by the low level of readiness of the wastewater industry and that a prolonged power failure would create difficulties for water and sewage facilities. Given the low level of involvement of the water and wastewater facilities in reporting Y2K readiness, both government and water industry representatives have agreed that every household should consider storing water - a gallon of water per day per person to last a minimum of four days through the first few months of 2000. Even if the likelihood of a major systems failure is remote, the impact that such a failure could have on the health and safety of large populations warrants careful and prudent precautions.