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Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network

A Water and Wastewater Agency Response Network is a network of utilities helping other utilities to respond to and recover from emergencies. The purpose of a WARN is to provide a method whereby water/wastewater utilities that have sustained or anticipate damages from natural or human-caused incidents can provide and receive emergency aid and assistance in the form of personnel, equipment, materials and other associated services as necessary from other water/wastewater utilities.

Emergency Preparedness

AWWA believes that emergency preparedness and security are of paramount importance to the reliable delivery of safe drinking water, the protection of public health, and the safety of the professionals responsible for water systems serving our communities.

Southern Water Utility Roundtable: Shared Challenges, Innovative Solutions

AWWA Statement on Hurricanes Milton and Helene

In the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, AWWA CEO David LaFrance released the following statement: As Hurricane Milton moves away from Florida, the members of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) extend our heartfelt condolences to everyone impacted by the storm. Our hearts go out to those who lost their homes, businesses and cherished […]

Press Room

The press room offers reporters, editors and other media professionals up-to-date access to information and news from AWWA.

Water Utility Insider – October 11, 2024

U.S. EPA finalizes Lead and Copper Rule Improvements The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday announced its final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) rule. The final rule is consistent with the proposed LCRI and EPA’s prior statements on system compliance obligations, due by this Oct. 16, under the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions. […]

Water utility crews across the country deploy to support operations in Jackson, Miss.

Dozens of water utility professionals have been traveling back and forth to Jackson, Miss., to help with recovery water system operations following presidential and gubernatorial emergency declarations in August. These declarations were issued following severe flooding on the Pearl River that impacted operations at both drinking water plants in the City of Jackson. The shared […]

AWWA Water Champion – Sandy Smith, Cleveland, Georgia

Sandy Smith, national manager of sales, service, testing and business development for Burnett, Inc., was recognized at ACE24 for his “Outstanding Service to AWWA.” He has been an influential volunteer with AWWA and the Georgia Section, including as GAWWA Section Chair and member of the AWWA Board of Directors, the Water Utility Council, and current […]

Water Utility Insiders – August 4, 2023

FEMA recognizes water systems as independent community lifelines The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) updated its Community Lifelines on Aug. 1, creating a new “Water Systems” Community Lifeline. FEMA defines Community Lifelines as “fundamental services that, when stabilized, enable all other aspects of society to function,” and the agency uses these lifelines to support objectives-based […]

Water Utility Insiders – March 29, 2024

PFAS drinking water standard is days away The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) review of the final Drinking Water Standard for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is complete. OMB extended its review beyond the typical 90-day review period to complete interagency and White House review of the final rule. The release of the […]

Water Utility Insiders – June 21, 2024

AWWA, AMWA file petition for review of new PFAS rule The American Water Works Association (AWWA) and the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) on June 7 filed a petition for a judicial review of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recently finalized PFAS Drinking Water Rule. The petition was filed in the U.S. Court […]

Water community comes together to manage Jackson, Mississippi, emergency

This article includes excerpts and information from an emergency preparedness column by Justin Barkey, maintenance supervisor at Greater Cincinnati Water Works, published in the July/August 2023 issue of Opflow. When torrential rains hit Jackson, Mississippi, in August 2022, localized flooding prompted a combination of challenges that led to a drinking water crisis for tens of […]

Update on potential supply chain disruption

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) posted an update to its website today regarding potential impacts to the water system supply chain stemming from the stalled negotiation between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX). The strike has generated coverage in national media. The strike, which began at midnight on Sept. […]