Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 69 - GENERAL ORDERS, POLICY STATEMENTS AND GUIDELINES ON FIXED UTILITIES › UNSCHEDULED WATER SERVICE INTERRUPTIONS AND ASSOCIATED ACTIONS › Section 69.1602 - Public notification guidelines

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
Acceptable methods of public
					 notification.
In the event of an unscheduled water service
					 interruption, the following acceptable methods of public notification should be
					 considered and utilized as appropriate:
(1)
Mass media.
Facsimile/electronic mail notification to local
					 radio and television stations, cable systems, newspapers and other print and
					 news media as soon as possible after the event occurs. These notifications must
					 provide relevant information about the event, such as the affected locations,
					 its potential impact including the possible duration of the outage, the
					 possible adverse health effects and the population or subpopulation
					 particularly at risk, and a description of actions affected
					 ratepayers/occupants should take to ensure their safety, with updates as often
					 as needed. Updates should be provided on a predictable, regular schedule for
					 the duration of the event. The Commission's Office of Communications and Lead
					 Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer should also receive these
					 notifications.
(2)
Web
					 site.
Use of the utility's own Internet web site and 24/7 emergency
					 phone line and integrated voice response system to provide relevant information
					 about the event, such as the affected locations, estimated duration, its
					 potential impact including possible adverse health effects and the population
					 or subpopulation particularly at risk, and a description of actions affected
					 ratepayers/occupants should take to ensure their safety, with updates as often
					 as needed. A section of the utility's web site shall be dedicated to presenting
					 outage information where regular updates of the number of customers without
					 service by geographic area and estimated restoration times are available.
					 Depending on the utility's system limitations, this could be as simple as a PDF
					 or spreadsheet file of information that is updated at regular
					 intervals.
(3)
Automated
					 dialer system.
Automated dialer system (outbound dialing) notification
					 to affected ratepayers'/occupants' landline or wireless phones. Updates should
					 be provided at regular intervals or if the estimated restoration time changes
					 by more than 2 hours.
(4)
Actual notice.
Actual notice to affected health care and child
					 care facilities and other facilities, for example, schools and restaurants, as
					 determined by consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, the
					 Department of Agriculture, the Department of Health, the Department of Aging
					 and other State agencies as necessary.
(5)
Miscellaneous.
Other
					 types of direct or actual notice, such as doorknob flyers distributed to
					 affected ratepayers/occupants, when feasible.
(6)
Electronic mail and other
					 emerging technology.
Electronic mail and text message notification to
					 affected customers who have opted to receive notice through use of these
					 methods. The use of emerging technology such as social media is strongly
					 encouraged.
(7)
Emergency
					 alert system.
Coordination with State and local emergency management
					 agencies as needed to use the emergency alert system for qualifying
					 situations.