Emergency Preparedness and Security

AWWA Policy Statement on Emergency Preparedness and Security

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) encourages every water service provider to adopt an all-hazards risk and resilience management strategy and programs that protect against threats to critical infrastructure and mitigate impacts from natural or human-caused incidents. Programs should be informed by AWWA guidance and best practices (e.g., NIMS, ICS, WARN) along with applicable federal, state/provincial, tribal, and local laws, guidance and regulations. Water service providers should integrate emergency preparedness and security best practices into management and operations to ensure the reliable and uninterrupted delivery of services and the protection of public health and the environment.

Water service providers should integrate emergency preparedness and security into their organizational culture, including establishing and maintaining whole community partnerships at local, state/provincial, federal, and tribal levels and with critical agencies (e.g., health, fire, law enforcement). It is the responsibility of all personnel (managers, supervisors, and workers) to be trained, aware, and vigilant in supporting risk mitigation and resilience management protocols. All water service provider staff should apply these protocols in their daily work processes and training programs, following an all-hazards and threats approach that mitigates risks from natural, physical, and cyber threats that could impact public health and the environment or compromise continuity of service.

Practices specified in this policy statement are consistent with all other pertinent AWWA policy statements.

Adopted by the Board of Directors June 22, 2006. Revisions approved by the Board of Directors June 12, 2011, and January 14, 2015, April 20, 2020, October 23, 2023.