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Storm Preparation Guide (Department of Environmental Protection)

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Department of Environmental Protection Division of Water Resource Management
Storm Preparation Guide Page | 1
Storm Preparation Guide
Guide Overview
In preparation of extreme weather events, this quick guide has been developed to assist wastewater
facility personnel in taking precautionary measures to safeguard their infrastructure. The guide is
organized by time period, starting with pre-storm planning and ending with post-storm assessment and
repair. In addition, the guide includes a supplemental Wastewater Treatment Plant Storm Checklist. The
checklist is geared towards assisting the wastewater facility personnel on storm preparedness actions.
Note: This is not an all-inclusive storm preparation guide.
Responsibility
Wastewater operators, policy makers, and state and local agencies are tasked with preparing for these
extreme weather events. A wastewater treatment facility must be able to operate under all conditions.
Failure to operate can lead to raw or partially treated sewage being discharged into rivers, oceans, and
other bodies of water; or backing up into streets, homes, and businesses. The threat that hurricanes and
other storms pose to wastewater treatment facilities is therefore a direct threat to the environment and
public health. As a result, most wastewater utilities have emergency response (ER) plans in place to
remain in service even under extreme conditions and emergencies.
Planning
Preparing for extreme weather events begins in advance of a forecasted storm. Development of
management plans are good practice for guidance when preparing for adverse weather events. These
plans should include, but not limited to, ER plans, flood hazard plans, and wet-weather plans. These
planning efforts rely on four key components: Communication, development of plans and procedures,
training, and assessments.
Communication
Open discussions among staff is integral to ensuring a safe and effective response to the storm event.
A few practices have been identified below to aid in facilitating effective communication:
• Ensure all personnel are listed on the community’s emergency response contact list
o Become a part of your municipality’s incident command structure
• Ensure that responsible staff have access to the Department’s StormTracker
web-site to report
operational status following significant storm events
o Facility operational status is used to assess storm damage and efficiently mobilize
resources and distribute aid
o If unable to access the website, the utility can update their facility’s status by calling
(1-866-742-0481)
• Investigate other means of communication when phones, power, and/or internet are not
operational such as Amateur (Ham), Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System (SLERS) or
Government Emergency Telecommunications Service (GETS) radios
• Know who to contact for assistance prior, during, and after an event
o Florida's Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (FlaWARN
) is the formalized
system of "utilities helping utilities" to address mutual aid during emergency situations
o Wastewater incidents or spills are required to be reported to the Department within 24
hours. For spills, greater than 1,000 gallons and/or affecting surface waters must notify
Department of Environmental Protection Division of Water Resource Management
Storm Preparation Guide Page | 2
the State Watch Office (1-800-320-0519) and in accordance with the
pollution
notification law. All other spills can be reported to the nearest district office
Development of Plans and Procedures
Establishing an emergency hierarchy to develop plans to protect the municipality’s infrastructure is
essential. The hierarchy should strive to implement measures that will promote the utilities resiliency
when faced with adverse weather. Staff members should be aware and have access to all plans and
know the procedures in place when preparing for a major storm event.
Plans
• Emergency Response plans should be developed to describe the actions the facility will take
to respond to various major events
• Have a plan for communicating if landline and cell phones are down (Two-way radios for
personnel to communicate, HAM, SLERS, and GETS radios)
• Develop Flood Hazard Plans to determine what infrastructures are at risk of flooding and
which infrastructures may be inaccessible during the flooding periods
• Have a plan for electrical control shut-off in the event of inundation
• Update standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) – all ER plans should be an evolving
document to address lessons learned after each event
• Wet-weather plans should be developed to detail the protocols when responding to high
flows, activating pumps, monitoring effluent quality, and if needed, steps to following for
bypassing a process for long term viability
• Each plan update should be reviewed and approved by management and consider input
from the appropriate local emergency responders
• Have a backup NELAP-Certified Laboratory
contract initiated in case
current contracted laboratory is not operational
Procedures
• Ensure all emergency generators are fully fueled and tested
• Check all pump systems and level indicators
• Clear facilities of all loose items
• Remove hazardous materials from flood prone areas
• Clear preliminary treatment systems, such as screens and grinders at head works
• Check all inlet and outlet gates and valves for operational function
• Initiate pre-event communication and operational procedures with staff, local emergency
responders, and appropriate state officials
• Empty reject tanks/ponds prior to storm event, if possible
• Ensure adequate supply of treatment chemicals for processes (extra
lime, HTH, etc. for disinfection)
• Ensure essential spare parts are stocked onsite or nearby
• Inspect lift stations
Training
Emergency response training is essential. The purpose of the training program is to inform
employees of what is expected of them during an emergency situation. The level of training on an ER
Department of Environmental Protection Division of Water Resource Management
Storm Preparation Guide Page | 3
plan directly affects how well a utility’s employees can respond to an emergency.
• Maintain organizational charts for reference to implement during emergencies
• Procedures for emergency events should be distributed throughout the facility for easy access
• Routine training for staff on emergency responses
• Routine functional drills to simulate an event
• Regular safety meetings
Assessments
It is critical to have a process in place for evaluating the susceptibility of critical assets to potential
threats and identifying corrective actions that can be taken to prevent, reduce, or mitigate the risk of
serious consequences associated with these threats.
• Review necessary infiltration-and-inflow repairs within the collection system
• Identify and map the system’s components to include wastewater collection systems, pumping
stations, force mains, treatment plans, electrical power requirements and power supply
• Determine level of reliability for these systems
• Evaluate potential effects on various types of equipment
Preparation
Once an extreme weather event is in the forecast, there are several preparation steps that should be
implemented. Staff coordination, generator use and availability, fuel, and staging areas are four key
components of preparing for inclement weather.
Staff Coordination
Before every extreme weather event, the staff should meet as early as possible and establish a series
of meetings over the days leading up to the storm.
• Discuss hierarchy of focus
• Responsibilities and contingency plans
• Anticipate potential problems
• Ensure equipment and personnel availability
• Storing accommodations (food, cots, etc.)
Generators
Standby power should be available for critical pump stations and facility performance should be
evaluated under emergency power.
• Generators should be exercised for sufficient durations and checked for fuel as appropriate
(weekly, monthly, etc.)
• Generators should be available for most facilities and tested weekly under load during hurricane
season
• Evaluate what areas of the facility lack emergency power and identify potential sources of
portable generators prior to an event
Fuel
Operators should make sure all fuel tanks (generators, vehicles, on-site fuel storage, etc.) are filled
and generators tested before the storm. It is important to evaluate how long your facility will be able
to operate with your generators and available fuel supply.
• Be prepared for potential fuel distributors not to reach your facility before, during or after the
storm
• Have additional fuel storage on site
Department of Environmental Protection Division of Water Resource Management
Storm Preparation Guide Page | 4
• Reduce energy consumption while using generators to make most of the available fuel
Staging
Evaluate other areas of the plant or community (higher-ground, open spaces, etc.) that could be
utilized for storage of equipment, vehicles, and materials.
• Place materials on pallets to be easily handled and moved
• Important paper documents and plans should be in a place that will not be flooded
• Relocate computers, other electronics, and hazardous chemicals out of vulnerable areas
Action
During an extreme weather event and immediately afterwards there are many potential disruptions that
must be considered. Personnel safety, staffing and communication are key areas of need when faced
with extreme weather.
Safety
Protecting the health and safety of everyone in the facility should be the first priority during a storm
event. If needed, medical assistance must be available, and identify who will administer. If
evacuation is necessary, have evacuation plan in place, as well as, how to account for all employees
after a storm event.
Staffing
Ensure you have enough staff to handle an emergency. This should include time for staff to rotate
in/out as needed to attend to their own personal needs.
Communication
Emergency communication plans must consider contingencies for internet and telephone service
interruptions during and after a storm.
Recovery
Once a storm has passed, it is very important to return to normal operations as soon as possible. An
individual or team should be designated to manage the recovery efforts. However, there may be many
unforeseen storm-related consequences to address first. Facility access, evaluating damage,
coordination, restoration of services and identifying areas for improvement are tasks that should be
addressed in the recovery phase.
Access
Coordinate access to storm impacted areas with local and regional law-enforcement agencies, via the
state or regional emergency management agencies. Access to the facility may become difficult or
impossible.
• Downed trees and utility poles may interrupt access to facilities
• Floodwaters from rain can wash out roads
Damage Evaluation
A detailed evaluation of all affected areas and components in addition to determining priorities for
repair, reconstruction or replacement must be completed.
Coordination
Organized coordination efforts are essential to successfully recovering from a storm. Below are noted
actions that will help facilitate the effort.
• Update your facility status on the Department’s StormTracker
web-site ASAP
• Coordinate all vendor and contractor activities
Department of Environmental Protection Division of Water Resource Management
Storm Preparation Guide Page | 5
• C
oordinate the completion of emergency repairs and schedule permanent repairs
• Notify agencies of emergency repair status and the scheduled completion of system repairs
• Document all recovery activities including labor, equipment and materials expenses for potential
disaster assistance from the state or federal government
Restoration
Ensure that restoration of all telecommunications, data processing and similar services are fully
operational.
Areas for Improvement
Assess vulnerability by discussing the event after the storm. As new situations arise, incorporate any
new activities and planning into the community’s planning and preparation process.
Resources
Below you will find several resources that provide helpful information when preparing for a storm event.
Websites
• Florida Division of Emergency Management: http://www.floridadisaster.org/index.asp
• StormTracker: https://stormtracker.dep.state.fl.us/login.asp
• Public Notice of Pollution: https://floridadep.gov/pollutionnotice
• County EOC: http://www.floridadisaster.org/County_EM/county_list.htm
• FlaWARN: http://www.flawarn.org/
• State Watch Office: http://floridadisaster.org/Response/Operations/swp.htm
• Federal Emergency Management Agency: http://www.fema.gov/
• National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
• Florida Rural Water Association: http://www.frwa.net/
Phone Contacts
• State Watch Office: 1-800-320-0519
• Florida Hotline: 1-866-742-0481
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
District Office
Location
Phone Number
Southeast District
West Palm Beach
561-681-6600
South District
Ft. Myers
239-344-5600
Southwest District
Tampa
813-470-5700
Central District
Orlando
407-897-4100
Northeast District
Jacksonville
904-256-1700
Northwest District
Pensacola
850-595-8300
Panama City Branch Office
Panama City
850-872-4375
Tallahassee Branch Office
Tallahassee
850-245-2984
Department of Environmental Protection Division of Water Resource Management
Storm Preparation Guide Page | 6
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
STORM CHECKLIST
NO.
YES
NO
PLANNING
Plan
1.
describe the actions the facility will
2.
3.
4.
5.
-off in the event of inundation?
6.
– are all ER plans evolving documents that address
7.
-weather plans been developed to detail the protocols when responding to high
activating pumps, monitoring effluent quality, and if needed, steps to following for
8.
9.
considered?
10.
11.
case currently contracted laboratory is not operational?
Procedures
12.
13.
14.
15.
preliminary treatment systems, such as screens and grinders at head works, been cleared?
16.
17.
18.
19.
Department of Environmental Protection Division of Water Resource Management
Storm Preparation Guide Page | 7
20.
21.
PLANNING
22.
23.
procedures for emergency events distributed throughout the facility for easy access?
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
equipment been evaluated?
PREPARATION
32.
Has the hierarchy of focus been discussed?
33.
Are the responsibilities and contingency plans established?
34.
Have potential problems been anticipated?
35.
Has equipment and
personnel-availability been ensured?
36.
Are there storing accommodations (food, cots, etc.)?
37.
Have generators been exercised and checked for fuel as appropriate (weekly, monthly, etc.)?
38.
Are generators available at
most facilities and tested weekly under load?
39.
Have areas of the facility that lack emergency power been evaluated?
40.
Have potential sources of portable generators been identified?
41.
Are there preparations if potential fuel distributors not to reach your facility before, during
or after the storm?
42.
Is there additional fuel storage on site or have plan to have it available?
43.
Has energy consumption been reduced while using generators to make most of the available
fuel?
Staging
44.
Are materials
placed on pallets to be easily handled and moved?
Training
Assessment
Staff Coordination
Generators
Fuel
Department of Environmental Protection Division of Water Resource Management
Storm Preparation Guide Page | 8
45.
Are important paper documents and plans in a place that will not be flooded?
46.
Have computers, other electronics, and hazardous chemicals been relocated out of
vulnerable areas?
ACTION
Safety
47.
48.
49.
there an evacuation plan in place if evacuation is needed?
50.
51.
52.
RECOVERY
53.
54.
55.
facility status on the Department’s StormTracker web-site been updated ASAP?
56.
coordinated?
57.
the scheduling of permanent repairs been
58.
been notified of emergency repair status and the scheduled completion of
?
59.
been documented (including labor, vehicles, equipment and
) for potential disaster assistance from the state or federal government?
60.
estoration of all telecommunications, data processing and similar services are fully
61.
Have areas of improvement/vulnerability been assessed by discussing the event after the
Staffing
Communication
Access
Coordination
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Completed 13 August 2020

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