Volume 101, Issue 1     January 2009    ISSN 1551-8833

According to public health experts and the medical community, an influenza pandemic could occur at any time. The authors conducted a literature review, interviews, and a survey of Ohio water systems to assess how prepared US water systems were for a pandemic flu outbreak and found varying preparedness levels. In addition, the project determined the planning resources available for water systems and developed a template plan that systems could use for pandemic preparedness and response.

In addition to triggering supply disruptions for power, chemicals, and equipment, a pandemic flu could result in serious staffing problems for water systems, with illness and family care issues creating staffing shortages up to 40%. Cross-training for essential positions, sequestering critical employees, and implementing vaccination and other personal protection measures would be essential to maintaining adequate levels of staffing during a pandemic. The article also discusses best practices and other strategies to improve utility contingency planning.—MPM