Water: Emergency/Incident Planning
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Water InfrastructureWater SecurityEmergency/Incident Planning, Response, and Recovery
Water InfrastructureWater SecurityEmergency/Incident Planning, Response, and RecoveryEmergency/Incident Planning, Response, and Recovery
EPA has developed a variety of guidance documents and other informative resources to support drinking water and wastewater utility preparedness.
Training and Exercise Planning- Tabletop Exercise Tool for Water Systems: Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Climate Resiliency
- How to Develop a Multi-Year Training and Exercise (T&E) Plan
- Fact Sheet on How to Develop a Multi-Year Training and Exercise (T&E) Plan
- Mutual Aid and Assistance
- Emergency Response Plan Guidance for Small and Medium Community Water Systems
- Large Water System Emergency Response Plan Outline: Guidance to Assist Community Water Systems in Complying with the Bioterrorism Act
- Wastewater Emergency Response Plan Guidance Document
- National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS)
- Pandemic Planning
- Top Ten List for Small Ground Water Suppliers
- Response Protocol Toolbox (RPTB)
Coordination of the Water Sector and Emergency Services Sectors: An Important Step to Better Response
- Funding
- Public Assistance for Water and Wastewater Utilities in Emergencies and Disasters
- Reimbursement Tips for Water Sector Emergency Response and Recovery
- Decontamination and Recovery Planning - Water and Wastewater Utility Case Study
Training and Exercise Planning
- How to Develop a Multi-Year Training and Exercise (T&E) Plan (PDF) (17 pp, 3MB)
This document will assist utilities to create multi-year T&E plans that can lead to increased emergency preparedness.
EPA 816-K-11-003, May 2011
- Fact Sheet on How to Develop a Multi-Year Training and Exercise (T&E) Plan (PDF) (2 pp, 512K)
This document will assist utilities to create multi-year T&E plans that can lead to increased emergency preparedness.
EPA 817-F-12-001, March 2012 - Tabletop Exercise Tool for Water Systems: Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Climate Resiliency
The Tabletop Exercise Tool helps plan and facilitate tabletop exercises. The TTX Tool expands on the capabilities of the first version of the tool, published in 2005. The updated TTX Tool contains fifteen scenarios that address an all-hazards approach to emergency preparedness and response, including natural hazards and manmade incidents, as well as introduces users to the potential impacts of climate change on the Water Sector.
EPA 817-C-10-001, June 2010
Preparedness Planning
- Information on the water sector's "Utilities Helping Utilities" Initiative and, Water and Wastewater Agency Response Networks (WARN) is available via the Mutual Aid and Assistance page.
- Coordination of the Water Sector and Emergency Services Sectors: An Important Step to Better Response (PDF)
This document describes the relationship of the water sector and emergency services sector, how the relationship is mutually beneficial and provides examples on how to improve coordination between water utilities and local emergency management agencies.
EPA 817-K-12-001, February 2012
- Emergency Response Plan Guidance for Small and Medium Community Water Systems (PDF) (45 pp, 415K)
For use by community water systems serving a population between 3,301 and 99,999 as they develop or revise emergency response plans. The document should be of considerable value to key authorities with critical roles during emergency response or remediation actions resulting from a drinking water contamination threat or incident. Printed copies, in limited quantities, can be obtained from the National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP).
EPA 816-R-04-002, April 2004 - Large Water System Emergency Response Plan Outline: Guidance to Assist Community Water Systems in Complying with the Bioterrorism Act (PDF) (12 pp, 79K)
Guidance developed to aid utilities in preparing emergency response plans as required by the Bioterrorism Act. Provides guidance that is not a requirement of the federal government, and some sections might not be applicable to every system. In addition, states might have requirements that supersede this outline.
EPA 810-F-03-007, July 2003 - The Wastewater Emergency Response Plan Guidance Document (PDF) (83 pp, 3MB)
Published by the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF)
This tool assists wastewater systems in preparing their emergency response plans (ERPs).
- Water Sector Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS)
Training Materials
NIMS and ICS enables responders from a variety of jurisdictions and disciplines to work together effectively when responding to an emergency.- NIMS Training for the Water Sector(PDF) (73 pp, 2MB)
- NIMS Training for the Water Sector (PPT) (26 pp, 10MB)
- ICS Training for the Water Sector (PDF) (143 pp, 4MB)
- ICS Training for the Water Sector (PPT) (23 pp, 26MB)
- Additional training- FEMA's NIMS Resource Center site.
Do you need resources to support water sector planning and preparedness for pandemic incidents?
See our Pandemic Planning page.Top Ten List for Small Ground Water Suppliers (PDF) (1 pg, 75K)
This list was developed to assist small public water suppliers with security and emergency planning. Includes tips to help suppliers to protect their facilities from tampering or contamination incidents and to prepare for potential emergencies. Developed by EPA New England.
Response Protocol Toolbox (RPTB) Interim Final:
Planning for and Responding to Contamination Threats to Drinking Water Systems
These modules provide emergency response planning tools that are designed to help the water sector to effectively and appropriately respond to intentional contamination threats and incidents.Planning for and Responding to Contamination Threats to Drinking Water Systems Modules Planning for and Responding to Drinking Water Contamination Treats and Incidents:
Overview and Application (PDF) (17 pp, 3MB) EPA-817-D-03-007, December 2003 | Word Version ( 14pp, 463k)Module 1: Water Utility Planning Guide (PDF) (46 pp, 3MB EPA-817-D-03-001, December 2003 | Word Version ( 45pp, 1MB) Module 2: Contamination Threat Management Guide (PDF) (31 pp, 413K)
EPA-817-D-03-002, December 2003 | Word Version ( 107pp, 3MB)Module 3: Site Characterization and Sampling Guide(PDF) (85 pp, 3MB)
EPA-817-D-03-003, December 2003| Word Version ( 86pp, 2MB)Module 4: Analytical Guide (PDF) (113 pp, 5MB)
EPA-817-D-03-004, December 2003 | Word Version ( 110pp, 5MB)Module 5: Public Health Response Guide (PDF) (85 pp, 3MB)
EPA-817-D-03-005, December 2003| Word Version ( 86pp, 2MB)Module 6: Remediation and Recovery Guide (PDF) (113 pp, 2MB)
EPA-817-D-03-006, December 2003| Word Version ( 111pp, 1MB)- Response Protocol Toolbox: Response Guidelines (PDF) (75 pp, 2MB)
A compilation of forms from the RPTB that may be helpful during an incident response.
EPA 817-D-04-001, August 2004 - A Water Security Handbook:
Planning for and Responding to Drinking Water Contamination Threats and Incidents (PDF) (72 pp, 9MB)
A short version of the RPTB and companion to the Response Guidelines.
- Response Protocol Toolbox: Response Guidelines (PDF) (75 pp, 2MB)
Recovery
- Public Assistance for Water and Wastewater Utilities in Emergencies and Disasters (PDF) (4 pp, 364K)
This brochure provides information about the eligibility of water and wastewater utilities for disaster funds under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) Public Assistance Grant Program.
EPA 817-F-10-009, August 2010 - Reimbursement Tips for Water Sector Emergency Response and Recovery (PDF) (2 pp, 164K)
This document presents tips drinking water and wastewater utilities can use to maximize their ability to receive reimbursement.
EPA 817-F-09-004, August 2009 - Decontamination and Recovery Planning - Water and Wastewater Utility Case Study (PDF) (12 pp, 875K)
This report documents the planning and experiences of a large combined water and wastewater utility related to decontamination and recovery. The study outlines specific planning steps that may be beneficial to other utilities in their planning and preparedness to respond to a contamination event.
EPA 817-F-08-004, September 2008
Related Links
- Water Contaminant Information Tool (WCIT)
A response tool that can be used to provide real-time data on water contaminants to help utilities make decisions if contamination occurs. - EPA's Compendium of Environmental Testing Laboratories