Wastewater_Content Page_Emergency Response Plans

Emergency Response Plans

Wastewater utilities are required to develop emergency response protocols for spill reporting under ch. 292, Wis. Stats.

An Emergency Response Plan (ERP) is a comprehensive document that accounts for actions that occur before, during and after an emergency. The goal of an ERP is to prevent, minimize and mitigate injury and damage resulting from natural or man-made emergencies or disasters. An updated ERP is an important security measure.

Federal regulations require coordination with local emergency planning committees established under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act when preparing or revising an ERP. Check with Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) for more information on coordination of ERP’s with local emergency planning activities.

The Water Research Foundation received funding from U.S. EPA to develop Emergency Response Plan Guidance for Wastewater Systems. Core elements of the ERP guidance include:

  • system specific information;
  • roles and responsibilities;
  • communication procedures;
  • personnel safety;
  • emergency storage;
  • contaminated wastewater disposal;
  • biosolids;
  • equipment;
  • chemical supplies;
  • property protection;
  • response capabilities;
  • sampling; and
  • monitoring.

The model plan discusses the three stages of threat assessment to determine if a man-made threat to the wastewater system requires activation of the ERP: possible, credible and confirmed stages. Recommended actions are included in the Threat Decision Process.

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) developed a planning guide to help ensure continued wastewater system service during power failures, "Emergency Power Source Planning for Water and Wastewater." This guide can be purchased through the AWWA bookstore.

See Training and Education for information on workshops available on Emergency Response Training and ERP Preparation.