NATURAL DISASTER

Natural disasters should be included among the specific incidents that your ERP addresses. A great place to start is the "Recovery Practices Primer for Natural Disasters." This is a favorite among utilities because it spells out how to plan for and recover from floods, hurricanes, wildfires, and earthquakes. The information contained in this document is extremely substantive, and many of the suggested practices stem from successful case studies.

Below are useful resources to help you prepare for a select few of Alaska's natural disaster threats:

I. FLOODING

Flooding is a hazard that nearly all of Alaska's water systems should prepare for. The break-up season in particular should not catch systems off guard.

• Incorporate flood preparedness into your ERP
  Refer to "Flood Preparation Guidance for Drinking Water Systems" for specific preparedness measures.
  
• Monitor Flood Conditions
  NOAA – Alaska Pacific River Forecast Center
  Get the most up-to-date information regarding flood watches or warnings. For those systems prone to flooding during the breakup season, monitor the "Spring Flood Potential Map" and the "Breakup Map."
• C. Disinfection Protocols
  *Please contact the Drinking Water Program prior to practicing the below protocols. Remember, fuel and other chemical releases are common during flood events; disinfection alone may not render water safe to drink
  As floodwaters could contain any number of contaminants, if a system component is inundated or impacted by floodwaters, the component or entire system may need to be disinfected. Additionally, the water itself may need to be disinfected prior to consumption.
  
  • Well and Small Distribution System Disinfection
    --Drinking Water Program Overview: Disinfection of Wells and Small Distribution Systems
    --Centers for Disease Control: Disinfecting Wells Following an Emergency
    --If you receive questions from your community regarding disinfecting private wells, reference EPA: Private Drinking Water Wells, What to do after the Flood
    
  • Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water
    --Drinking Water Program Overview: Drink it Pure
    --EPA Overview: Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water-EPA
    

II. VOLCANIC ASH

Drinking water systems located along the Aleutians, as well as within Southcentral Alaska, are periodically faced with the threat of a volcanic ash fall incident.

• Incorporate Volcanic Ash Preparedness into your ERP
  
  Proactive preparedness measures include:
  • Maintaining full capacity of finished water storage prior to the ash fall
    
  • Closing air intake vents
    
  • Maintaining extra air filters for equipment and vehicles
  • Distributing PPE such as dust masks and goggles to personnel
  • Protecting electronics and exposed mechanical equipment
  The pamphlet "Ash Alert!", provides information for the general public (much of which can be incorporated into your ERP) regarding what to do before, during, and after an ash fall incident. For further information regarding volcanic ash and water supplies, reference "The Effects of Volcanic Ash on Water Supplies."
  
  
• Monitor Ash Trajectory Forecasts
  
  Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)
  The AVO monitors and studies Alaska's hazardous volcanoes to predict and record eruptive activity. The website releases status reports and alerts of volcanic activity, and provides useful ash trajectory forecasts.