For systems serving less than 500 people, a formal submittal need not be made, however the plan is still required. The rule further requires that the plan should be updated locally as needed. To aid water utilities in the preparing an effective emergency plan, the division has available certain professional outlines and educational documents pertaining to emergency planning. We also have on file a copy of the most recent emergency plan filed by the 100 largest New Hampshire water utilities. Finally emergency planning is one of the core topics in our educational courses for both municipal and small public water system operators.
Some emergencies are preventable.
To address these kinds of preventable situations, a vulnerability assessment should be made of the overall water system. Vulnerable facilities should be identified, engineering improvements planned, and funding appropriated to correct or strengthen each deficient area. Reducing the system's vulnerability is a key element in any emergency plan. Some emergency plans specify a precise set of actions for each specific failure scenario. The utility should provide critical hardware such as pagers for these staff.