WATER UTILITIES - EMERGENCIES, DISASTERS AND YOU
How Do Water Utilities Deal With Natural Disasters and Emergencies?
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| Diamondhead, Ms Utility Operations Building Damage After Hurricane Katrina-Photo by Donna Kaluzniak |
Well, we had a slow hurricane season in Florida this year until Hurricane Isaias became the first major hurricane of 2026. Isaias tore through the Florida Panhandle, bringing destructive winds, tornados and flooding across the southeast U.S.
When you think about natural disasters in Florida, tropical storms, hurricanes and flooding are probably top of mind. But many different emergencies and disasters can affect your water utility.
So, what can your water systems do to keep the water safe and flowing for customers - like you? And what can you do to prepare?
Assessment and Preparation
By law, all water utilities must have equipment, supplies and written plans and procedures for various emergencies and disasters.
Equipment and Supplies
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| Tampa Bay Water's Fuel Trucks for Emergency Response-Photo by Donna Kaluzniak |
In the sewer collection system, large lift stations must also have on-site generators. Portable generators and pumps must be available for smaller lift stations or to help prevent sewer overflows.
Some utilities have their own fuel trucks to ensure they have sufficient fuel for generators and vehicles during an emergency, when many gas stations run dry.
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| JEA Portable Generator - Photo by Donna Kaluzniak |
Treatment plants keep extra spare parts, chemicals, and supplies in stock for emergencies.
Additional radios and satellite phones are supplied to ensure workers can communicate and respond quickly.
A supply of spare tires, tire repair kits and other vehicle parts - such as fuel filters - are stocked. These are items often needed when the roads are full of debris and fuel may be contaminated.
Planning for Emergencies
Both the EPA and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) require water utilities to have written Emergency Response Plans. The plans must include an assessment of needs and describe how the utility will prepare and respond to a variety of natural or manmade disasters and emergencies.
FDEP also requires utilities to prepare a Collection/Transmission System Power Outage Contingency Plan. This describes how utilities will mitigate the effect of power outages on the system's pump stations. The goal of the this plan is to prevent sanitary sewer overflows that could result in public health or environmental problems. The plan includes an inventory of pump stations; generators (both dedicated and portable); fuel resources; response teams; communications; mutual aid agreements and more.
These plans must be reviewed and updated at least once a year. Typically, they will also be reviewed before hurricane season and after any disaster or emergency.
Table-top exercises or emergency scenarios may be practiced as well. Here's a short video from EPA about table-top exercises and how they've helped utilities prepare and respond to emergencies:
Staff Assignments and Family Preparation
Before a disaster strikes, water utility employees must know what their responsibilities will be.
For instance, where I worked, all utility employees were considered essential staff. If a hurricane was forecast, each person was to make preparations for their family, then report to work. If the entire city was evacuated, employees would go with the city (not their family) to the assigned shelter. Most were not happy about that, but those were the requirements and known ahead of time.
Each employee also knew what their assignments would be afterward, whether flushing water mains, repairing equipment, or tracking information for FEMA.
The Department of Homeland Security's Ready.gov website provides excellent information for businesses (including utilities) and families on emergency preparedness. Check it out - the site has helpful tips and resources for every type of disaster or emergency.
Mutual Aid Agreements
When an emergency or disaster strikes, your water utility will need help to recover. That's why it's important to have mutual aid agreements in place beforehand. Many agencies have ongoing agreements, including fire/rescue, law enforcement, electric companies and disaster recovery providers.
For water utilities, it's also important to have agreements with other utilities. Every U.S. state is part of a Water and Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN).
In Florida, this is the FlaWARN network - utilities helping utilities. It's a formalized mutual aid response network of utilities willing to provide critical resources to partner utilities during man-made or natural disasters. Signed agreements with other utilities are in place before a disaster occurs.
FlaWARN allows utilities to get quick responses when help is needed--whether for equipment, vehicles, supplies or people.
FlaWARN also publishes an Emergency Response and Preparedness Best Management Practices guide for water utilities to help with their planning.
FDEP sponsors FlaWARN and manages WATERTracker, a single source for all water/wastewater utilities to report status and request or provide resources during or after an event.
Here is a short video showing the how WARNs helped utilities respond to emergencies:
Disaster/Emergency Response
While a disaster is ongoing, utility staff may be sheltered in place at a treatment facility, evacuated to a central facility, or at home. This depends on the nature of the event and the requirements of the utility.
Damage Assessment
The first step needed after a disaster is to complete a full exploration of the damage and what assistance will be needed.
This is important, because responders will be coming, and their first question is "what do you need?" The damage assessment allows the utility to prioritize needs quickly and make accurate requests.
WARN responders will be coming not only from Florida, but often from other states. Other responders will include electric crews, tree surgeons, FEMA, Red Cross, and more.
Even with severe damage, systems can become operational (with "bubble gum and bailing wire") fairly quickly if responders know what is needed. Here's a short video of JEA's response to Sanibel Island:
Recovery
Full recovery from a disaster may take anywhere from weeks to years, depending on the event. However, the goal of emergency responders is to get the systems working to the degree possible.
Having the drinking water and wastewater systems functional, allows other recovery activities to proceed.
Record Keeping
Something everyone finds annoying is the need for accurate record keeping. (Responders would rather be fixing things than keeping records).
Records must include every employee's hours worked, what they worked on. What vehicles and equipment were used, for what activity and for how many hours each day. Supplies used - fuel, food, water. Any expenses, where, when and what for.
Record keeping is important because of the mutual aid aspect, and for FEMA reimbursement.
Lessons Learned and Continuous Improvement
After recovery from a disaster or emergency, utilities perform a review.
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| Responders Review Activities and Plan for the Next Day - Photo by Donna Kaluzniak |
- What did we do right? What worked? What didn't?
- How can we improve? Do we need better equipment, better communication? Should we stock more supplies?
- How was our safety record? Any injuries, and how to prevent in the future?
- Do we need additional training?
Every experience can lead to better preparation and response for the next emergency.
Emergencies, Disasters, and You
The best thing you can do to protect yourself and your family is to be as prepared as possible, and follow the directions of your local agencies.
Make a Plan
Go to Ready.gov which has resources to help you make a plan for most any type of emergency.
Register for Alert Florida's Emergency Notifications and Alerts.
FL511 is the Florida 511 Advanced Traveler Information System, with real-time traffic and travel info. You can call 511 or download the app. This may be especially helpful if you need to evacuate.
Know your evacuation zone, as well as your flood zone. That way, you won't have to try looking it up when evacuation orders are announced.
Be sure to include your pets in your plans. Have your fur-babies microchipped and make sure they have a collar with tags. If possible, write your number directly on the collar in case the tag comes off.
Pay Attention to Notifications and Follow Directives
If you receive evacuation notices, do so. It's actually better to evacuate early if possible, to avoid being stuck in traffic during dangerous weather.
Be aware of other notifications. As an example, the recent hazmat emergency in Ohio directed some residents to evacuate, while others were notified to shelter in place.
Water Issues
The references above include excellent emergency preparation lists, but I wanted to highlight a few items about water. Even with planning and preparation, many types of disasters can affect the drinking water and wastewater systems.
Store a supply of water in case of an outage. One gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation is recommended.
Responders Bringing Water After Hurricane Katrina - Photo by Donna Kaluzniak - Precautionary boil water notices may be issued if pressure was lost in the distribution system. Keep a gallon of bleach stored (in case of a boil notice when there is no power to heat the water). Use 1/8 teaspoon of bleach per gallon and mix well. (Use only unscented bleach)
- You can purchase emergency water filters of various types and sizes that can remove pathogens from the water.
- Use moist towelettes for "bathing" and hand sanitizer for hand washing.
- Avoid drinking or playing in stormwater. Even if it looks clean, it may be contaminated.
- Responders, such as the Red Cross typically set up sites to distribute drinking water and other supplies.
A Few Other Tips
I try to fill up my gas tank when it gets about half empty. That way, I still have enough fuel to make it a couple hundred miles if I need to leave in a hurry.
Keep extra portable battery chargers for your cell phone and tablets.
I'm thinking about getting Rapid Radios, or something similar, that use a different technology than cell phones.
Can you think of other helpful tips? Is there anything else you'd like to know about water utilities and disasters/emergencies? If so, respond in the comments.
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