r/EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
               FL
          •it  •
RESILIENCE
          A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities

                          Select a menu option below.
                    First time users should start with the Overview.
                        Approach
                           Mitigation Options
                                     FLOOD HAZARD MITIGATION PROGRAM
                                     "Protecting Lives. Properly s Ihe Environment"
                           Pilot Project

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       RESILIENCE
A Basic Guide for Water and
   Wastewater Utilities
        September 2014
        EPA 817-6-14-006

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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
           &EPA
  OverView (page 1 of 3)
  FLOODS AND UTILITIES
  Flooding is one of the most common hazards in the
  United States, causing more damage than any other
  severe weather-related event. It can occur from tropical
  storms, hurricanes, swollen rivers, heavy rains, tidal
  surges, spring snowmelt, levee or dam failure, local
  drainage issues and water distribution main breaks.

  Impacts to drinking water and wastewater utilities can
  include loss of power, damage to assets and dangerous
  conditions for personnel. As storms become more
  frequent and intense and as sea levels rise, flooding will
  be an ongoing challenge for drinking water and
  wastewater utilities.
                                                                                                  Click Next to learn more about flood
                                                                                                          resilience and mitigation.
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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
                                                         &EPA
  OverView (page 2 of 3)
  WHAT IS FLOOD RESILIENCE AND MITIGATION?
  For the water sector, "flood resilience" refers to the ability of
  water and wastewater utilities to withstand a flooding event,
  minimize damage and rapidly recoverfrom disruptions to
  service.1 Utilities can build resilience by implementing
  mitigation measures. A mitigation measure can be an
  emergency planning activity, equipment modification/upgrade
  or new capital investment/construction project. Examples of
  mitigation measures include:

     •  Emergency response plan
     •  Barriers around key assets
     •  Elevated electrical equipment
     •  Emergency generators
     •  Bolted down chemical tanks

  Implementing these mitigation measures requires financial
  investment by the utility; however, flood mitigation could
  prevent costly damage and enable the utility to provide more
  reliable service to customers during a disaster. To help pay for
  flood mitigation measures, a utility can also apply for federal
  disaster mitigation funds.
                       Mitigation Success Story
                               in Alabama
              During major flooding, power outages at the
              Geneva Water Works resulted  in sewer backups.
              Geneva   County  received  a  FEMA  Hazard
              Mitigation Grant to procure an emergency backup
              generator and  fuel tank as well as  to elevate
              critical motors  and  blowers.  Two years  later,
              Geneva experienced another major flood, but this
              time the system was unaffected.
 1 For more information on resilience, see Presidential Policy Directive 21 (accessed August 21, 2014).
                                                                                                Click Next to learn more about this Guide
                                                                                                and to watch a video on flood resilience.
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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
  OverView (page 3 of 3)
  ABOUT THIS GUIDE
                                                          &EPA
  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed
  this guide to help drinking water and wastewater utilities
  become more resilient to flooding.1 In the approach, the utility
  would examine the threat of flooding, determine impacts to
  utility assets and identify cost-effective mitigation options. This
  approach was successfully tested during a pilot project at a
  small drinking water system, the Berwick Water Department
  (BWD), in Berwick, Maine. Click on the video to learn why and
  how BWD assessed their resilience to flooding.

  This guide is particularly useful for small and medium utilities.
  It provides easy-to-use worksheets with corresponding videos
  (based on the Berwick pilot). To increase your resilience to
  flooding, consideryour utility's priorities and available
  resources. Although this guide focuses on flood resilience, the
  same approach can be applied to enhancing resilience to other
  hazards (e.g., earthquakes, tornadoes).
                                    Surviving the Flood
                                                                                                  Click on the image to view the video.
                                                     You have completed the Overview.
                                                Click Next to continue to the 4-Step Approach.
  1 For more on EPA's Water Security tools and resources, visit http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/watersecurity/.
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   FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
OOOO
                                                                                        vvEPA
     Approach  to  Flood  Resilience
     4-STEP PROCESS
     There are four basic steps involved in increasing your utility's resilience to flooding.1
          STEP1
         Understand the
           Threat of
           Flooding
    STEP 2
Identify Vulnerable
Assets & Determine
  Consequences
   STEPS
    Identify &
Evaluate Mitigation
    Measures
    STEP 4
  Develop Plan to
    Implement
Mitigation Measures
     Click on each step above and:
     •  Read the step description
     •  Watch the corresponding video
     •  Complete a worksheet and fill in accompanying blank tables with your utility data


     WORK WITH A TEAM
     To help you through this process, work with a team of your partners and
     stakeholders. This team could include your utility staff (e.g., operators,
     supervisors, field staff), other partners from local government (e.g., town
     engineer, public works staff, floodplain managers, emergency response
     personnel) and state government (e.g., primacy agency staff, hazard mitigation
     officers). It will be helpful to hold a kick-off meeting with this team to discuss
     goals and responsibilities to complete the assessment and implement mitigation
     measures. The four steps should be completed sequentially; however, they do not
     have to be completed all at once. Complete the steps as time and resources
     permit.
       This basic approach is consistent with other water sector guidelines and standards, including ANSI/AWWA 0440-11: Emergency
       Preparedness Practices, ANSI/AWWA 0430: Security Practices for Operations and Management, AWWA M-ig Emergency Planning for
       Water Utilities, JAWWA Jioo-io Risk and Resilience Management of Water and Wastewater Systems and the Vulnerability Self-
       Assessment Tool (VSAT).
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   FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
OOOQ
                                                    &EPA
     Approach  to Flood Resilience
          STEP1
       [•••••••••••••••••••I
        Understand the
          Threat of
          Flooding
   STEP 2
Identify Vulnerable
Assets & Determine
  Consequences
   STEPS
    Identify &
Evaluate Mitigation
    Measures
    STEP 4
  Develop Plan to
    Implement
Mitigation Measures
     STEP 1: UNDERSTAND THE THREAT OF FLOODING
     Flooding depends on various factors including
     rainfall, topography, river-flow, drainage and
     tidal-surge. The threat of flooding is based on
     the likelihood that such a flooding event will
     occur. Learn how the Berwick Water
     Department (BWD) evaluated theirthreatof
     flooding from the video. Also, the Federal
     Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is a
     resource to help you. FEMA produces maps of
     a uioo-year flood" (a flood event that has a
     one percent chance of occurring in a given
     year) and a more catastrophic "soo-year
     flood" (a flood event that has a two tenths of a
     percent chance of occurring in a given year).
     Click on the Step i worksheet icon below so
     that you can document the flooding threat
     and obtain FEMA Flood Maps.
                      Understand the
                     Threat of Flooding
                                 Click on the image to view the video.
                                                         STEP 1 Worksheet
                                 Click here to document the threat of flooding to your utility.
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   FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
OOOQ
                                              &EPA
                  STEP  1: Worksheet 
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   FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities

                                                   4>EPA
                  STEP  1: Worksheet  (page 2 of 2)
                   EXAMPLE OF COMPLETED TABLE 2 - UTILITY SYSTEMS WITHIN FLOODPLAIN

                          Utility System
           100-year
          Floodplain
          Flood Reaches
         Elevation (237 ft)
        500-year
       Floodplain
      Flood Reaches
      Elevation (240 ft)
Intake (235 ft)
Treatment (238 ft)
Distribution/Collection (237 ft)
Storage Tank (252 ft)
Pump Stations (238 ft)
V

V


V \
V
V

V
                                                                              Note: Changes in climate
                                                                              and land use can affect a
                                                                              utility's flooding threat. For
                                                                              a more advanced evaluation,
                                                                              EPA's Climate Resilience
                                                                              Evaluation and Awareness
                                                                              Tool (GREAT) can provide
                                                                              data on projected changes of
                                                                              extreme precipitation events
                                                                              and sea-level rise by location.
     1.5 What flooding threat do you want to prepare for?
          Using your utility's information from Table 2, decide which flood threat will be the focus for protecting your
          utility. Select the flooding level that you would like to address.
                  loo-year flood

                ] 5oo-year flood

                  Other:	
Elevation.

Elevation.

Elevation
.ft

 ft
 ft
              (e.g., add elevation for climate change impacts or freeboard1 for
              local building requirements)
Note: A recent FEMA publication2
recommended elevating critical
infrastructures above the 5oo-yearflood
elevation. This level of protection may
be necessary to obtain federal funding.
          To illustrate how a utility might make this decision, below are three potential options based on the
          sample data in Table 2 above.
            •  Option A: Select loo-year flood. The utility is unwilling to tolerate a one percent probability of a
              flood that would damage its intake and distribution systems. The utility is not concerned about the
              more remote possibility of a 5oo-year flood at this time.
            •  Option B: Select soo-year flood. Although the utility will have some impacts from a loo-year flood,
              the intake and distribution systems are generally well protected. However, the entire facility,
              including a new expensive treatment system, would be a total loss with a 5oo-year flood.
            •  Option C: Select loo-year flood plus 2 feet. The facility has assets located along the coast and
              experienced two floods in the last 5 years that approached this elevation and caused significant
              disruption to service.
     -"•Freeboard is a safety factor expressed in feet above a flood level for purposes of floodplain managers.
     2 "Reducing Flood Effects in Critical Facilities," FEMA RA2 (accessed August 21, 2014).

                              You have completed Step 1. Click Next to continue to Step 2.
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   FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
OOOQ
                                                                             &EPA
                                                             /  I Return to Step 1 Worksheet
Interpreting FEMA  Flood Maps  (page 1 of 2)
     FLOOD MAP
     Flood Map is the common term used to referto a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) developed by FEMA. Local and
     state governments use these maps to understand the threat of flooding and to devise hazard mitigation plans
     (including possible projects) to mitigate the effects of flooding in their communities. Flood Maps can be obtained
     through FEMA's Map Service Center. To identify your relevant Flood Map, enter the address of your facility or
     vulnerable asset(s). An example map including legend, index and title box is provided below.
    EXAMPLE FLOOD MAP - JEFFERSON CITY MISSOURI
                   	•- , -.| -.,, ,1 hi II KM PA M-1 UK MtUt »A< RAM
                                                                                Legend
        Depicts
    Which Area
    Is Shown on
     Map/Panel
                                                                         Panel Number
                                                                       Community Name
                                                                       and Number
                                                                             Date
                              Index
                                                    Title Box
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   FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
OOOQ
                                                                                        &EPA
                                                                     /   I Return to Step 1 Worksheet
Interpreting  FEMA Flood  Maps (page2 of 2)
     FLOOD MAP
     The figure below presents a close-up view of the Flood Map shown on the previous page. Water and wastewater
     utilities can use Flood Maps to determine if their facility locations (e.g., treatment, culverts, water storage) are in
     a loo-year flood zone, a 5oo-year flood zone or outside of a 5oo-year flood zone. Although the format and
     content may differ, information on a Flood Map includes:
        •   Common physical features, such as major highways, lakes, railroads and waterways
        •   Areas subject to a loo-year flood (one percent annual chance of such flooding), also known as Special
           Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) and base flood areas
        •   Areas subject to a 5oo-year flood (two tenths percent annual chance of such flooding)
        •   Areas outside of the 5oo-year flood zone
        •   Base flood elevation (BFE) or depths
        •   Flood insurance risk zones
     To illustrate how to interpret a Flood Map, a hypothetical water utility building is shown.
     CLOSE-UP OF EXAMPLE FLOOD MAP

              OTHER FLOOD AREAS
              Areas of 0.2% annual chance flood; areas of 1%
      ZONE X  annual chance flood with average depths of less than
     i foot with drainage areas less than i square mile; and areas
     protected by levees from 1% annual flood chance.
     Includes areas in the goo-year floodplain
                                                               FLOODWAY AREAS IN ZONE AE
                                                               The floodway is the channel of a stream plus
                                                       any adjacent floodplain areas that must be kept free of
                                                       encroachment so that the 1% annual chance flood can be
                                                       carried without substantial increases in flood heights.
       Hypothetical Water Utility
       Building located outside
       the soo-year flood zone.
                   of
              Special Flood Hazard Areas
              (SFHAs) Subject to inundation
     by the 1% annual chance of flood.
     Depicts areas in the loo-year floodplain

     More information on how to read a Flood Map can be found at
     http://www.floodsmart.qov/floodsmart/paqes/floodinq flood risks/understanding flood  maps.jsp.
                                                                           Base Flood Elevation
                                                                           line and value.
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   FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
OOOQ
                                                        &EPA
     Approach  to Flood Resilience
          STEP1
        Understand the
           Threat of
           Flooding
    STEP 2
 •••••••••••••••••••••i
 Identify Vulnerable
Assets & Determine
  Consequences
   STEPS
    Identify &
Evaluate Mitigation
    Measures
    STEP 4
  Develop Plan to
    Implement
Mitigation Measures
     STEP 2: IDENTIFY VULNERABLE ASSETS &
                DETERMINE CONSEQUENCES
     Often located in low lying areas, water and
     wastewater utilities are particularly
     vulnerable to flooding. Waterand debris can
     inundate the facility, thereby damaging
     equipment and structures and causing
     power outages. Such impacts can lead to
     various consequences including costly
     repairs, disruptions of services, hazardous
     situations for personnel and public health
     advisories. In this step, identify the assets
     that are vulnerable to flooding and
     determine the resulting consequences to
     those assets and to overall utility
     operations. Using this information and your
     judgment, determine the assets/operations
     that you will need to protect from flooding.
                                        Identify Vulnerable Assets
                                          & Determine Impacts
                                                                  Click on the image to view the video.
     Click the video to learn how BWD identified vulnerable assets and determined consequences to their utility. Use
     the worksheet below to conduct Step 2. It includes a checklist to inspect your utility and determine elevations of
     assets/operations. It is important to understand how your drinking water or wastewater utility may be impacted
     by flooding events so that you can identify appropriate mitigation actions to eliminate or reduce asset damage
     and prevent service disruptions.
                                                           STEP 2 Worksheet
                                          Click here to identify assets that are vulnerable to
                                                  flooding and determine consequences.
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   FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities

                     SEPA

                  STEP 2:  Worksheet (page 1  of 2)
                  To identify which key utility assets/operations are vulnerable to flooding, you should conduct an on-
                  site inspection to locate assets and document elevations. Compare these elevations with the threat
                  elevations in the FEMA Flood Map. The assets/operations that are vulnerable to flooding and that
                  result in significant consequences for the utility are candidates for mitigation and protection. Below
                  are instructions for evaluating vulnerabilities of assets and the resulting consequences at your utility.
                  The tables below have sample data.  Use the blank tables (double click icon)
                  to input your utility's data.
    2.1  Measure elevations of utility assets to determine vulnerability to flooding.

         Conduct on-site inspections of your utility system and then determine the elevation for each critical
         asset/operation. To assist you, use the On-Site Asset Inspection Form found in the blank tables. Summarize
         the elevation data for all assets/operations in the vulnerability columns in Table 3.
            Write in the asset/operation (column i)
            Measure the height of the asset/operation above the floor
            (column 2)
            Determine the elevation of the floor (above sea level) using
            as-built design drawing or layouts
            Determine asset elevation (column 3) by adding floor
            elevation and asset height above the floor
            Write in flood threat elevation into column 4. (from Step 1.5)
            Compare asset elevation (column 3) to flood threat elevation
            (column 4.) and determine which assets/operations are
            vulnerable to flooding (column 5)
Tip:
• During the inspections, consider flood
water entry points. For example,
assets/operations below ground may
be vulnerable due to leaks from first-
floorflooding.

• Although an asset may be located
within a floodplain, it may not be
vulnerable to flooding if, for example, it
is built on an elevated platform or
within a bermed area.
    2.2  Determine consequences based on replacement costs and impacts to
         facility operations.
         Assuming that an asset/operation is flooded, determine the consequences. Estimate replacement costs for
         assets based on the best available data, vendor costs or Recommended Practices.1 Record this in column 6
         of Table 3 and characterize impacts to the utility operations in column 7.


    2.3  Determine priority need for mitigation to improve flood resilience.
         For each asset/operation, use your judgment to determine the
         priority need for mitigation measures. Base your decision on
         both the vulnerability of the asset/operation to flooding
         (column 5) and the consequences for the utility (columns 6 and
         7) inTable3. Enteryourjudgment into column 8.
 Tip: In the example table, note that
 the automatic transfer switch has a
 high consequence to the utility, but is
 located above the flood threat
 elevation, so the switch ultimately
 has a low priorityfor mitigation.
     1 AACE Recommended Practice lyR-gy: Cost Estimating and Budgeting: Class 5 - Process Industry Planning Level estimate
      http://www.aacei.org/non/rps/i7R-Q7.pdf (accessed August 21, 2014).
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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
                                                                                                                    v>EPA
               STEP  2: Worksheet (page 2 of 2)
                 EXAMPLE OF COMPLETED TABLE 3 - SUMMARY OF VULNERABLE ASSETS, CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE
                 & PRIORITY FOR MITIGATION
        Asset/
      Operation
                           Vulnerability
 Height
of Asset   Elevation
 Above    of Asset
 Floor       (ft)2
                                                        Consequences
Elevation   Vulnerable
of Flood       1
 Threat    Flooding?
   ,.;)3     (Yes/No)4
Replacement
Costs ($) for
   Asset
  Impact to Facility
Operations from Asset
       Failure
                                                               Priority for Mitigation5
Low   Moderate   High
K)      K)       K)
Raw Water

Pump



Air
Compressor



Automatic
Transfer Switch




0.5




0.75



2.5



Electrical Outlets 2.5




238.5 240




238.75



240.5





240



240



240.5 240




Yes




Yes



No



No


Inability to feed raw water to
20,000 the process tanks will render

the facility inoperable.


15,000



5,000



Inability to provide high air
pressure will limit the
operation of pneumatic
valves on the treatment
process systems. This will
render facility inoperable.
If water damaged the
Automatic Transfer Switch,
the facility would be
inoperable.
The outlets for general use
are not critical to facility
5,000 operations and they are










V



V
located above the 500-year

flood elevation.
























V










    1The distance between the floor and the bottom of the utility asset.
    2 Elevation of the asset = elevation of floor (in this example, 238ft based on design drawing of utility) plus height of asset above floor (column 2).
    3 In this example, elevation of flood threat for the 500- year flood is 240 ft (obtained from Step 1.5).
    Mf elevation of flood (column 4) is higherthan elevation of asset (column 3), then yes.
    s Based on qualitative judgment considering both vulnerability and consequences.
                    [  Previous  ]
                     You have completed Step 2. Click Next to continue to Step 3.
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   FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
OOOQ
    Approach to Flood  Resilience
         STEP1
        Understand the
          Threat of
          Flooding
   STEP 2
Identify Vulnerable
Assets & Determine
  Consequences
   STEPS
   Identify &
Evaluate Mitigation
   Measures
                                                    &EPA
   STEP 4
  Develop Plan to
   Implement
Mitigation Measures
    STEP 3: IDENTIFY & EVALUATE MITIGATION MEASURES
     First, identify possible mitigation measures that
     can protect the key vulnerable assets and
     operations prioritized in Step 2. Then, evaluate
     which mitigation measures make sense to pursue
     and implement.

     A mitigation measure can be any emergency
     planning activity, equipment modification or new
     capital construction project. Examples of each
     include:
        •  Emergency procedure to top off water
           storage tanks in advance of flooding.
        •  Bolting down chemical tanks and
           elevating equipment.
        •  Constructing flood barriers and installing
           backup generators.

     Click the video to learn how BWD identified and
     evaluated appropriate mitigation measures. Click
     on the worksheet icon below to conduct Step 3.
                                    How to Protect Your
                                    Utility from Flooding
                                 Click on the image to view the video.
                                                       STEP 3 Worksheet
                                  Click here to identify and evaluate mitigation measures.
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   FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities

                                  &EPA
                 STEP 3: Worksheet (page 1 of 5)
                 To improve your utility's flood resilience, you should identify and evaluate which mitigation
                 measures to pursue based on cost, effectiveness and practicality. It is possible that some
                 mitigation measures could be implemented at little to no cost to your utility. Below are
                 instructions for evaluating mitigation measures at your utility.
                 The tables below have sample data. Use the blank tables (double click icon)
                 to input your utility's data.
     3.1  What are your utility's requirements to maintain a minimum level of service
         during a flood?
          Enter capacities/requirements to maintain a minimum level of service at your utility into Table 4.. See below
          for an example of Table 4. completed with sample data. This information may help you choose mitigation
          measures that can sustain your minimum level of service.
          EXAMPLE OF COMPLETED TABLE 4 -
          CAPACITIES/REQUIREMENTS TO MAINTAIN A MINIMUM LEVEL OF SERVICE
                             Sample Asset/Operation
     Capacity/Requirements
Finished Water
Chemical and Fuel
Electricity
Water Pressure at Treatment Plant
Pressure of Booster Pumps

3,500gpd
500 Ibs chlorine/day
Varies
60 psi
80 psi


TIP- 1
requi
flood
from


                                                                         TIP: The level of service
                                                                         required following a
                                                                         flood event may differ
                                                                         from "normal" demands.
     3.2 What flood mitigation measures can prevent damage to key assets and
         disruptions to critical operations?
          For assets/operations that have a moderate or
          high priority for mitigation (column 8 in Table 3),
          you may consider consulting with a team of
          operators, mitigation officers, town engineers,
          neighboring utilities, vendors, etc., to identify
          potential options. Click the icon to help you
          identify mitigation measures.
FLOOD HAZARD MITIGATION PROGRft
 "Protecting Lives, f'rojioittj 6 the Invironmont"

TIP: General examples
include waterproofing,
elevating or upgrading
equipment; using flood
control methods to
modify runoff and
managing stormwater
through green
                                                                            •  infrastructure.
                                                      Mitigation Options
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   FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
oooo
                 STEP 3: Worksheet (page 2 of 5)
         What flood mitigation measures can prevent damage to key assets and
         disruptions to critical operations? (cont'd)
          Populate the first two columns m Table 5 with mitigation measures that   _._ _.....        .
                    r     ,      ,      •   r-"r-.». i       -i                TIP: Consider listing several
          you propose for each asset/operation. FEMA also provides some             .,,   ...  ..          c
          '   r  r                r                r                    possible mitigation measures tor
          guidance for selecting mitigation measures to protect against flooding.1   a specific asset or operation (e.g.,
                                                                       multiple rows for one
                                                                       asset/operation).
     3.3 Evaluate mitigation measures.
          Evaluate the mitigation options based on various criteria including effectiveness, practicality and cost.
          Descriptions of these sample criteria are in Matrix i. Also, your utility might want to consider other
          factors such as:

          •   Availability of funding from federal/state sources,
          •   Selecting a mitigation strategy that addresses a group of similar assets/operations (e.g., pumps for
             raw water and pumps for intake water) or
          •   Bundles of mitigation measures that can better address a flooding threat (e.g., bundle sandbags and
             water-proof doors).

          For each mitigation measure, use your professional judgment to classify the criteria as low, medium or
          high. In columns 3-5, rate each criterion and, in column 6, write your thoughts in evaluating the
          mitigation option. Finally, in column 7, provide your recommendation. For each mitigation measure,
          complete columns 3-7 in Table 5.
     1 Selecting Appropriate Mitigation Measures for Floodprone Structures, FEMA 551 (2007), Section 7-2,
      Technical Considerations (available at http://www.fema.gov/li bra ry/viewRecord.do?id=2737 [accessed August 21, 2014]).
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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
                                                                                                                                -S-EPA
                STEP 3:  Worksheet (page 3 of 5)
                   MATRIX 1 - DESCRIPTIONS OF EVALUATION CRITERIA
                                                           Priority Evaluation Criteria
                  Effectiveness
    This evaluates the ability of a mitigation
    measure to increase resilience. For the water
    sector, "flood resilience" refers to the ability of
    water and wastewater utilities  to withstand a
    flooding event, minimize damage and rapidly
    recover from disruptions to service. This can be
    measured against the requirement for a
    minimum level of service (see Table 4).
          Practicality
This is a measure of the ease to
implement the mitigation option. For
example, consider whether the
mitigation option requires ongoing
operations and maintenance or
special training or certification.
Consider replacement costs for the asset, up-front costs for the
mitigation measure, operations and maintenance costs as well as
indirect costs such as staff training. Sources of cost estimation include
vendors, trade publications or industry standards. Consider whether the
mitigation measure can be implemented internally or if it requires
outside contractor assistance. Also, consider calculating net present
value costs and compare the costs of the mitigation measures to the
costs of replacing flood-damaged equipment and the costs of disrupted
operations, as outlined in Table 3.
                Funding Sources
    Consider the likelihood of applying and receiving
    federal funding for the mitigation measure. Be
    aware that for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grants,
    you need to use FEMA's more comprehensive
    Benefit-Cost Analysis Tool to assess mitigation
    costs.
                                                            Other Evaluation Criteria
 Single Mitigation Solution for Groups of Assets
You may want to consider a mitigation strategy for a
group or bundle of assets/operations that are threatened
in the same way. For example, several critical pumps
(raw water, backwash and finished water) that are co-
located at similar elevations could be considered a single
group of assets that need protection. It may be more cost
effective to protect all the pumps with a retaining wall
rather than invest in submersible versions of the pumps.
                        Bundle Mitigation Strategies
                 Sometimes, combinations or bundles of mitigation
                 measures can better address a flooding threat.
                 Often, such bundles can be provided at a lower
                 cost. For example, you may want to bundle
                 sandbags and water-proof doors to provide
                 complementary reliable protection.
                      [  Previous  )
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    FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
                                                                                                       -S-EPA
                 STEP 3: Worksheet (page 4 of 5)
m
                   EXAMPLE OF COMPLETED TABLE 5 -
                   IDENTIFY & EVALUATE MITIGATION MEASURES FOR POWER SUPPLY
          Mitigation Measures
                       Evaluation Criteria
                                                      Recommendation
         Assets/
        Operations
Possible
Mitigation
Measures
Effectiveness
 (Low, Med,
   High)
Practicality
(Low, Med,
  High)
Estimated Cost ($)  Evaluation of Mitigation Measure
Recommend
 Mitigation
  Measure
 (Yes/No)?





Procure
Power Supply emergency
generator





Fdtahlkh

agreements
Power Supply with suppliers
tn fnpl




Power Supply

generator
Procure
vehicle to
obtain/
distribute fuel
for generator



High





High




Medium




Medium-High:
$100K; Cost-Benefit
Medium analysis indicated a 7-
year return on




High




Low
investment



Low: $5K



Medium: $30K plus
costs for operations &
maintenance
Significant benefit over current
situation - highly effective. Would
propose to bundle the procurement of
a generator and fuel agreements to
ensure power resilience in floods.
FEMA mitigation can fund generators
so we will plan to apply.

Initial conversation with vendors looked
promising. Bundled with generator
procurement. Influenced by high
effectiveness and low cost.

Strongly influenced by low practicality.
There is no need for fuel truck beside
emergencies and it may require
hazmat driver certification. Also, the
vendor agreed to stage a fuel vehicle in
advance of hurricanes.



Yes





Yes




No
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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
                                                                                                    -S-EPA
             STEP 3: Worksheet (page 5 of 5)
               EXAMPLE OF COMPLETED TABLE 5 -
               IDENTIFY & EVALUATE MITIGATION MEASURES FOR PUMPS
      Mitigation Measures
                        Evaluation Criteria
                                                       Recommendation
     Assets/
    Operations
Possible
Mitigation
Measures
Effectiveness
 (Low, Med,
   High)
Practicality
(Low, Med,
  High)
Estimated Cost ($)  Evaluation of Mitigation Measure
Recommend
 Mitigation
  Measure
 (Yes/No)?


Pumps (raw, Replace with
finished, submersible
backwash) pumps

Pumps (raw,
finished,
backwash)

Pumps (raw,
finished,
backwash)

Increase
capacity for
sump pump
Install
watertight
doors and sand
bags for
waterproofing

Medium

Medium

Medium

Medium

High

High
High: $1 50-21 6K for ... . , . ,.
. a High cost because there are six pumps
six pumps
($25K/pumpto
replace or $36K/pump
to upgrade to
submersible)
Low: $7K

Low-Medium: $20K
at similar vulnerable elevation; medium
practicality because would also need to
upgrade electrical panel. Look for other
short term fixes.

Larger sump pump capacity may give
staff additional time to plan for
mitigation efforts. Low cost is
attractive.
Relatively easy to install water
proofing, but relies on labor for heavy
lifting. Worthwhile given that preventing
water from entering building protects
six pumps totaling more than $1 50K in
replacement costs.

No

Yes

Yes
                  [  Previous )
                   You have completed Step 3. Click Next to continue to Step 4.
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   FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
OOOQ
    Approach to Flood Resilience
                                                    &EPA
         STEP1
        Understand the
          Threat of
          Flooding
   STEP 2
Identify Vulnerable
Assets & Determine
  Consequences
   STEPS
   Identify &
Evaluate Mitigation
   Measures
   STEP 4
  Develop Plan to
   Implement
Mitigation Measures
    STEP 4: DEVELOP A PLAN TO IMPLEMENT
               MITIGATION MEASURES
    Your utility will need to develop a plan to
    implement mitigation measures to reduce or
    eliminate asset damage and service
    disruptions during flood ing. The plan should be
    revisited periodically and address actions,
    schedule, funding, responsibilities, etc. For
    example, flood mitigation measures that
    involve major capital and infrastructure
    investments should be integrated  into the
    utility's overall scheduling in the asset
    management planning process (e.g., phasing
    in flood-resistant pumps). Click on the video to
    learn how BWD developed a plan to implement
    mitigation measures. To help your utility
    complete Step 4., click the worksheet icon
    below.
                                   How to Protect Your
                                    Utility from Flooding
                                                             Click on the image to view the video.
                                                       STEP 4 Workshee
                            Click here to develop a plan to implement mitigation measures.
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   FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities

                                                                                  SEPA
                   STEP  4: Worksheet (page 1 of 2)
                   Now that you have selected mitigation measures, develop a plan to implement them.
                   Below are instructions for developing an implementation plan at your utility.

                   The tables below have sample data.  Use the blank tables (double click icon)
                   to input your utility's data.
     4.1  Develop an implementation plan for selected mitigation measures.
           Develop a plan, with specific timeframes, to implement your recommended mitigation measures
           (identified in Table 5). Consider coordinating with the following contacts: Utility Board, Local
           Government, Emergency Management Agencies, State Hazard Mitigation Officer, Other Utilities and
           Vendors.

           Decide when and how to implement mitigation measures

                         Identify if the mitigation measure is to be implemented in the short-term (requiring less
                         planning and resources, yet filling an  urgent need), medium-term or long-term (requiring
                         more planning/resources and protecting your utility from more intense events).

                         Determine when your utility will be making other planning decisions (e.g., updating capital
                         improvement plans or conducting capacity building) and incorporate mitigation activities into
                         these decision-making processes.

                         Consider general operations and maintenance activities that are planned (e.g., replacing
                         equipment at the end of their life cycles) and how they might factor into the timeline for
                         implementing mitigation measures.

           Use Table 6 to structure the plan.

             EXAMPLE OF COMPLETED TABLE 6 -
             PLAN TO IMPLEMENT SELECTED MITIGATION MEASURES
               Mitigation    Actions to Implement Mitigation Measure & Timeline for
               Measure                     Completion
                              Develop proposal that outlines basic engineering plans
                              and cost/benefit analysis for generator; include costs
                              for operations, maintenance, fuel (within 2 months)
                              Talk to power utility about priority restoration of
                              electricity as well as possibility of generator (within 2-3
                              months)
                                                           Total Time
                                                               to
            Lead
          Individual
                                                                          Implement   or Agency
             Funding
             Source
Emergency
Generator
and Fuel
Vendor
Agreement
                              Talk to fuel vendors to establish agreements (within 2-
                              3 months)
                              Take proposal to town managers for preliminary
                              approval to pursue (4 months)
                              Work with local mitigation official and explore idea of
                              getting Federal Emergency Management Agency
                              (FEMA) Mitigation Funds for generator perhaps
                              bundled with other measures, etc. (4 months to 1 year)
1 year
Operations
and Finance
   Capital
 Funding and
FEMA Hazard
  Mitigation
   Grant
  Program
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   FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities

                                                           &EPA
                 STEP 4:  Worksheet (page 2 of 2)
     4.2 Explore funding sources for mitigation measures.
               Internal utility capital improvement funding.

               Local/State funding/bonds.
               Federal funding: EPA's tool Federal Funding for Utilities-Water/Wastewater- in National Disasters
               (Fed FUNDS) provides comprehensive information on funding programs from various federal
               agencies including FEMA, EPA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Department of
               Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Small Business Administration (SBA). For exam pie,
               because of flooding from Hurricane Sandy, EPA's State Revolving Funds have refocused efforts on
               encouraging flood resilience for both water and wastewater utilities. To access Fed FUNDS, click the
               icon below.
                Which Funding Is
                Right for You?
     Currently in a Disaster?
                Be Prepared to Tap
                into Funding
                                 Here are forms to document
                                the damage, costs, and repairs.
Federal Disaster
Funding Programs
                            Utility Examples,
                            Training, & Assistance
                   Federal Funding for Utilities — Water/Wastewater
                       - In National Disasters (Fed FUNDS)


     4.3 Follow your implementation plan.
              Tip: Utilities applying for FEMA
              Hazard Mitigation Grants must use
              FEMA's Benefit-Cost Analysis Tool
              to evaluate the cost-effectiveness
              of the mitigation measure.
               Implement measures according to the adopted implementation plan.

               Update emergency response plans based on new mitigation measures and procedures to maintain
               operations.
               Evaluate the actual effectiveness of mitigation measures and reassess mitigation
               decisions/approaches.
      Previous
             You have completed Step 4.
Return to the Main Menu to explore other sections of this Guide.
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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
                                          &EPA
                                                                                rn to Step 3 Worksheet
  Mitigation  Options
  IDENTIFY MITIGATION MEASURES
  This guide provides two ways to identify mitigation measures:

      i.   Practical Mitigation Measures. Click the clipboard icon fora one-page list of
          practical mitigation measures to help your utility prevent flood water intrusion,
          protect assets/operations if flooding does occur and ensure power reliability.
                                              Practical
                                             Mitigation
                                            Measures
      2.  Mitigation Options for Specific Assets/Operations.  Click the photographs of assets/operations
         at drinking water (DW) and wastewater (WW) utilities and get tables of flood mitigation
         measures for those assets/operations. The tables also provide relative costs for various
         mitigation options.
 DW
 Assets
 DW&WW
 Assets
 WW
 Assets
                 Water Intake, Distribution
                     and Storage
    Booster Stations and
       Other Pumps
Drinking Water
Treatment Plant
                                        Chemical and Other
                                            Storage
               Instrumentation and
               Electrical Controls
                                                                                 Wastewater Treatment
                                                                                      Plant
  Remember, before you select the mitigation measures to implement, know the vulnerabilities of the
  assets/operations and the costs and effectiveness of those mitigation measures (Step 3 Worksheet). You may be
  able to relocate certain assets/operations outside of the floodplain. Also, find out if your local government
  requires critical infrastructures to elevate assets to certain heights (e.g., 2 feet above loo-year floodplain).
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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
                                        &EPA
                                                                            rn to Mitigation Options
  Practical  Mitigation  Measures for Flood  Resilience

  PREVENT INTRUSION OF FLOOD WATER
       Implement a program to keep all drains and culverts clear of
       debris to reduce possible flooding.
       Use sandbags to make a quick and low-cost barrierto minor
       flooding. Have sand and bags available.
       Install backflow preventers on low-lying overflow pipes to protect
       finished water.
                                                                          Sandbags to prevent
                                                                            intrusion of water
  PROTECT ASSETS AND OPERATIONS
       Secure or elevate chemical and other tanks to prevent them from
       floating away, releasing contents or damaging other equipment.
       Plan to move vehicles to high ground. Develop alternative methods to
       access the facility if entry is blocked by high flood waters or debris.
       Elevate or relocate instrumentation, electrical controls, computers and
       records.
       Fill finished water storage tanks to full capacity if a flooding event is
       anticipated.
       Maintain sufficient supplies of chemicals and fuel in anticipation of
       supply disruptions during a flood.
                                 Wellhead above
                                  loo-year flood
  ENSURE POWER RELIABILITY
       Contact your local power utility and local emergency management agency to
       plan for priority restoration of power to your water or wastewater utility.
       Ensure backup power for pumps, treatment facilities and remote units.
       Purchase, rent or borrow generators (e.g., through mutual aid). Install
       connections to enable your utility to rapidly hook up generators to your
       system.
       Make sure generators, electrical connections and fuel supplies are protected
       from flooding (e.g., elevated, easy to access).
       Arrange for priority access to fuel supplies (e.g., vendor contract).
                                                                           Elevated Emergency
                                                                              Generator
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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
                                         &EPA
  Mitigation Options
                                                                                n to Mitigation Options
  BUILDINGS (page 1 of 2)
        Drinking water

        Wastewater
  It is important for drinking water and wastewater utilities to protect
  their buildings and other structures from floods. This includes any
  entryways, both obvious (e.g., doors, windows, floor drains) and not
  so obvious (e.g., wiring conduits, overflow drains, cracks) where water
  can enter structures. Significant damage can result from flood waters
  entering a building; water can damage or destroy the structure,
  process equipment, communications and controls, records and field and administrative equipment. Flood waters
  can also restrict access to the facility. These impacts could result in loss of service for your customers and
  significant repair costs for the utility. Utilities should establish emergency monitoring and warning systems
  (alarm systems where possible), emergency preparedness protocols and evacuation procedures for all buildings
  and facilities.

  See the following checklist for potential flood mitigation options  for your utility buildings.
                              Mitigation Options for Buildings
                                           Cost
   1. Prevent buildings from flooding.




a. Caulk and/or seal wall and floor penetrations.
b. Install backflow prevention devices on sewers, drains and other buildings.
c. Install waterproof protection (e.g., removable/semi-permanent structures, sealed
doors, shields) for building entry points (e.g., windows, doors, garages).
d. Install floodwalls, levees or berms around buildings.
$
$
$$

| 2. Protect critical components if buildings do flood. ^|



a. Train staff how and when to shut down and start up power and gas supplies,
electrical controls, operating systems and other equipment in system facilities.
b. Identify locations outside the flood zone where utility equipment (e.g., heavy
equipment, vehicles, replacement parts, backup generators, pumps) can be stored
safely, permanently or temporarily, to prevent damage from flood waters or debris.
c. Have an alternative access plan in case normal access to buildings is blocked.
Consult with other entities (e.g., Department of Transportation) to consider alternate
road/transportation options (e.g., watercraft).
$
$
$
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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
                                           4>EPA
  Mitigation  Options
  BUILDINGS (page 2 of 2)
                                                                             Return to Mitigation Options
          d.  Elevate or relocate equipment (e.g., computers, desks, work benches) to prevent
              damage if water does enter the facility (i.e., move control centers and/or
              laboratories to a second floor).
          e.  Maintain a cache of spare parts.
   3. Maintain operations when the electrical grid is down.1
                                             $-$$$
          a.  Maintain a generator above flood levels.
   4. Maintain continuity of operations during flooding.
          a.  Regularly backup electronic and paper files outside the flood zone either on-site
              (e.g., an upper floor) or off-site. Include all permits and compliance documentation,
              designs and as-built drawings, process diagrams, operations and maintenance
              (O&M) records, standard operating procedures, process and equipment manuals,
              material safety data sheets, asset management data, purchasing records,
              operations data, customer records and other critical information.
                                               $
          b.  Have the capability to operate remotely in case buildings are inaccessible.
          c.  Establish interconnections or other partnership opportunities to share resources
              with neighboring water utilities.
       Cost Key (Provides relative costs of mitigation measures - actual costs may differ for your utility)

          $ - Little to no cost. Some internal level of effort required, but no contractor support needed.
          $$ - Moderate cost/complexity. Likely involves contractual costs.
         $$$ - High cost/complexity. Will require one or more contractors to implement this option.
   See Mitigation Options (Power Supply)
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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
  Mitigation Options
  CHEMICAL AND OTHER STORAGE
&EPA
                                                                                rn to Mitigation Options
        Drinking water

        Wastewater
  Aftera flooding event, adequate supplies of chemicals and fuel are
  vital to maintain utility operations during the days and weeks that
  follow. Chemicals are needed for continued treatment of water and
  wastewater and fuel is needed to run equipment including emergency
  generators. Flooding may impact these resources in several ways.
  Deliveries of chemicals and fuels can be disrupted if access to the
  facility is restricted due to high flood waters or debris.
  Without necessary chemicals or fuels, utility service could be disrupted for a prolonged period of time. Storage
  tanks are also at risk of being damaged from a flooding event. For example, chemical or fuel tanks that are not
  properly secured can be carried away, damaged or ruptured, potentially resulting in leaks and spills that may
  contaminate utility assets and the environment.

  See the following checklist for potential flood mitigation options for your utility chemical and other storage.
_






Mitigation Options for Chemical and Other Storage
a. Elevate or relocate tank platforms above flood levels (e.g., 100- and/or 500-year
flood) or install physical barriers around the tanks.
b. Secure tanks to platforms (i.e., bolt tanks down).
c. Install larger capacity chemical storage tanks to ensure a sufficient supply through
and beyond an emergency until the supply chain is restored.
d. Establish emergency contract provisions with various fuel vendors and chemical
suppliers and inform them of estimated fuel/chemical needs (type, volume and
frequency).1 Work with your local emergency management agency to prioritize
chemical/fuel needs.
e. Ensure chemicals and fuels are topped off in advance of a potential flood.
f. For systems that work on groundwater well supply, procure or get access to a
portable chlorinator.
r i
Cost
$
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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
                                         &EPA
                                                                              •irn to Mitigation Options
  Mitigation Options
  INSTRUMENTATION AND ELECTRICAL CONTROLS
        Drinking water

        Wastewater
  Instrumentation, electrical controls and electrical wiring are critical
  components of drinking water and wastewater treatment processes
  and should be protected from flood damage to prevent a potential
  service interruption. Motor Control Units (MCUs) may be co-located
  with the equipment they monitor/control or they may be located in a
  central control room. Typically, MCU clusters are co-located with the
  pumps and other equipment that they control. With some modification they can be made more resilient to
  flooding. Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems also may be at risk of failure during a
  flood. Loss of SCADA systems can impact operations and data collection in operations centers, treatment
  facilities, processes and remote locations in distribution and collection systems such as valve chambers and
  pump stations. Utilities should be able to  monitor and control operations manually if instrumentation and
  controls are off-line due to flooding impacts.

  See the following checklist for potential flood  mitigation options for your utility instrumentation and
  electrical controls.
-ir ^
y' Mitigation Options for Instrumentation and Electrical Controls Cost
1. Protect instrumentation and electrical controls from flood damage. I





a. Elevate individual instrumentation/controls, control centers and MCUs or relocate to
remote locations outside of the flood zone.
b. Maintain a cache of spare parts to restart operations as soon as possible.
c. Purchase and have available portable equipment if permanent equipment becomes
disabled.
d. Train staff to shut down electrical equipment and controls (e.g., SCADA systems,
computers, field instruments) prior to a flood to minimize damage.
e. Replace instrumentation and control enclosures with waterproof models.
v>
$££
"vPvP
$$
$$
$<£<£<£
-CpCpvP
2. Maintain continuity of operations (e.g., redundant controls at another
location) if instrumentation and controls are damaged by a flood.


a. Have redundant controls at another location and/or remote access capabilities.
b. Train staff and plan for manual operation of your water system.
$$
$
       Cost Key (Provides relative costs of mitigation measures - actual costs may differ for your utility)
          $ - Little to no cost. Some internal level of effort required, but no contractor support needed.
         $$ - Moderate cost/complexity. Likely involves contractual costs.
        $$$ - High cost/complexity. Will require one or more contractors to implement this option.
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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
  Mitigation Options
  POWER SUPPLY (page 1 of 3)
                                           &EPA
                                                                                  rn to Mitigation Options
        Drinking water

        Wastewater
  Floods often result in power outages that have major implications for
  drinking water and wastewater utilities. Without a backup solution,
  outages can disrupt service leading to boil water advisories, sewer
  backups or the discharge of raw sewage. To ensure continued service
  in the event of a power outage, a utility should consider a number of
  different strategies (e.g., backup generators, alternative/auxiliary
  source of power, energy efficient equipment) to run the critical components of its system keeping in mind that
  the minimum level of service required after a flood may differ from "normal" demands. Deciding on a strategy
  requires that you identify and evaluate your facility's sources, reliability, redundancies and critical power needs.
  To get started, use the EPA's publication Is Your Water or Wastewater System Prepared? What You Need to
  Know About Generators (EPA goi-F-og-o27, September 2009).

  See the following checklist for potential flood mitigation options for your utility power supply.
     /   I                     Mitigation Options for Power Supply
   1. Long before a flood, take measures to reduce the duration of power o
              Prepare a list of key utility facilities (e.g., intake works, pump stations, treatment
              facility) that require critical power restoration and include the physical locations of
              the facilities and their corresponding power company account numbers. Provide
              this information to the power company during an outage to expedite electricity
              restoration.
                                             Cost
                                               $
          b. Talk with your local emergency management agency and local power utility to
             increase the priority of power restoration for your utility's facilities.
                                               $
          c.  Working with the power utility, consider installation of two independent power feeds
             to your utility, elevating substations and/or ways to avoid downed power lines.
          d.  Establish more reliable connection to power source (e.g., install substation
              expressly for your utility or a dedicated feeder between the power station and the
              treatment plant).
   2. Secure backup generators.1
          a.  For your electrical requirements, document the size and type of backup generator
              that you need including voltage, phase configuration, horsepower/amperage, fuel,
              etc.
                                               $
   Regularly test/service backup generators and ensure that permanent/mobile generators are elevated or outside of flood zone.
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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
                                    SEPA
                                                                  Return to Mitigation Options
  Mitigation  Options
  POWER SUPPLY (page 2 of 3)



b. Have pump stations wired to accept a portable generator. Ensure that "quick
connect" capability is installed and ready, and that on-site personnel are trained.
c. Arrange to get portable generators in an emergency by maintaining a call list of
multiple vendors that rent portable generators, entering into an agreement with a
particular vendor or joining a mutual aid network (e.g., Water/Wastewater Agency
Response Network [WARN]) to allow sharing of backup generators. During
widespread flooding events, demand and competition for portable generators will be
high.
d. Procure and install your own portable or permanent generators. Consider multi-fuel
generators.
$
$

3. Secure a source of fuel for backup generators.1 •





a. Fill fuel storage tanks in anticipation of flooding.
b. Establish an agreement with your fuel supplier and provide estimates of fuel needs
(e.g., volume and frequency) in the event of a power outage. Also, secure a list of
alternative fuel suppliers. Maintain communication with your local emergency
management agencies for priority in getting fuel supplies.
c. Install fuel tanks on your utility's vehicles and train staff in moving the utility's fuel in
an emergency.
d. Perform an energy audit of your facility to identify energy saving opportunities via
operations and equipment modifications. Implement recommendations of the audit
(e.g., replace equipment with energy efficient models) to extend the life of your
backup power supply.
e. Install additional and/or larger fuel storage tanks.
$
$
$$
v>
v>
4. Install an alternative energy system. |


a. Install solar panels or wind turbines to reduce dependence on the electrical grid and
to potentially supplement your backup power supply (ensure your utility has the
proper technical switches).
b. Install cogeneration units and/or a waste heat recovery system at wastewater
treatment plants to reduce or eliminate dependence on the grid.


5. Prepare/protect electrical connections/equipment. •


a. Train staff to shut down electrical equipment (e.g., Supervisory Control and Data
Acquisition [SCADA] systems, computers, field instruments) prior to a flood event to
minimize potential damage from flood waters.
b. Develop "start and connect" checklists specific to each piece of equipment.
$
$
  Regularly inspect/service fuel storage tanks and ensure that permanent/mobile fuel tanks are elevated or outside of flood zone.
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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
                                       SEPA
                                                                       Return to Mitigation Options
  Mitigation Options
  POWER SUPPLY (page 3 of 3)




c. Equip generators and motors with disconnect fittings that can be removed before a
flood and then restored.
d. Evaluate existing electrical panels to determine the best method of connecting
external portable generators to the facility or to individual pieces of equipment.
e. Replace/upgrade electrical connections/motor controls/junction boxes with
watertight panels.
f. Relocate or elevate electrical vaults and service panels outside of the flood zone.
$
$
$$

       Cost Key (Provides relative costs of mitigation measures - actual costs may differ for your utility)

         $ - Little to no cost. Some internal level of effort required, but no contractor support needed.
         $$ - Moderate cost/complexity. Likely involves contractual costs.
        $$$ - High cost/complexity. Will require one or more contractors to implement this option.
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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
&EPA
                                                                              rn to Mitigation Options
  Mitigation Options
  WATER INTAKE, DISTRIBUTION AND STORAGE (page 1 of 3)
        Drinking water
  Flooded rivers and lakes can pose threats to source water intake
  structures by clogging them with excess silt/debris or by physically
  damaging them with debris. Flood waters that do enterthe intake
  may carry increased contaminant loads and/orturbidity levels that
  may impact water treatment plant processes. Distribution system
  piping and appurtenances that are underground, along culverts and
  under bridges can be washed out by fast and high flowing flood
  waters. Finished water storage tanks also can be damaged by the
  force of flood waters.
  Groundwatersources also may be prone to damage. Flood waters can overtop wellheads, causing damage to
  the casings as well as contaminating the well water. Shallow we I Is near a flood zone can be contaminated even
  if the wellhead itself has not been overtopped. Distribution lines for ground water sources can be equally
  vulnerable to flooding.

  See the following checklist for potential flood mitigation options foryour utility surface or groundwater
  intakes, distribution systems and storage facilities.

  SURFACE WATER UTILITIES
                        Mitigation Options for Surface Water Utilities
  Cost
                        from flooding.
          a.  Relocate or elevate pump house and distribution system appurtenances that are in
             the flood zone.
   2.  Protect critical components if intake, distribution and storage
      of finished water do flood.
          a.  Protect or reinforce surface water intake structures from floating debris, erosion and
             siltation to prevent damage or blockages during floods. Install jetty or breakwater to
             divert debris/silt away from structure. Install/upgrade screen at the intake to prevent
             debris blockages.
          b.  Waterproof, relocate or re-enforce distribution system appurtenances (i.e., fire
             hydrants, valve vaults) susceptible to flooding or damage from debris.
          c.  Install submersible pumps or waterproof pump motors.
          d.  Ensure that distribution lines across streams are sufficiently below streambed.
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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
                                 SEPA
                                                           Return to Mitigation Options
  Mitigation  Options
  WATER INTAKE, DISTRIBUTION AND STORAGE (page 2 of 3)

3. Maintain delivery of safe drinking water during flooding. 1 f






a. Sign up for U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) alerts for stream and river gauges:
• WaterAlert - Select gauges of interest, and USGS will send an email/Short
Messaging Service (SMS; i.e., text) message when parameters exceed user-
defined thresholds.
• WaterNow - Receive current conditions for water data at a specific gauge
directly to your mobile phone or email.
b. Install monitoring equipment upstream of intakes to provide an early warning of raw
water conditions (e.g., turbidity, flow) if no state or federal monitoring is available.
Adjust the treatment process as necessary (e.g., chemical addition, residence time)
to account for higher contaminant loading or increased turbidity.
c. Have an alternative access plan in case normal access to intake structure and/or
pump house is blocked. Consult with other entities (e.g., Department of
Transportation) to consider alternate road/transportation options (e.g., watercraft).
d. Establish a plan to fill finished water storage tanks to capacity prior to a storm event.
e. Stock spare parts to repair damaged equipment.
f. Explore interconnections or other partnership opportunities to share resources or
facilitate emergency public water supply services with neighboring water utilities.
$
$$
$
$
$-$$
ipip~ipipib


 GROUNDWATER UTILITIES
                    Mitigation Options for Groundwater Utilities
  1.  Prevent well field/pump house from flooding
                                  Cost



a. Procure temporary flood barriers (e.g., sandbags) for use in minor floods.
b. Re-grade land surrounding well field so that it slopes away to prevent flood water
from flowing toward the wells. Ensure that the casing terminates at least twelve
inches above grade. Also, extend well casings above the flood zone.
c. Relocate or elevate well field pump houses that are in the flood zone.
$
$q>

  See Mitigation Options (Drinking Water Treatment Plant)
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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
                                         SEPA
                                                                           Return to Mitigation Options
  Mitigation Options
  WATER INTAKE, DISTRIBUTION AND STORAGE (page 3 of 3)
   2. Protect critical components if ground water intake and supply do flood.
          a.  Seal the top of well casings, waterproof well caps that are in the flood zone and
             extend vents above the flood zone elevation.
                                             $
          b.  Periodically evaluate the integrity of surface seals outside casings and check that
             there has been no soil settling or that no cavity has developed around the outside of
             well casings where surface water would be able to flow down to the aquifer.
                                             $
          c.  Install submersible pumps or waterproof pump motors and other equipment.
   3. Maintain delivery of safe drinking water during flooding. 1
          a.  Plan to fill water storage tanks to capacity prior to a storm event.
          b.  Have an alternative access plan in case normal access to wellhead/pump house is
             blocked. Consult with other entities (e.g., Department of Transportation) to consider
             alternate road/transportation options (e.g., watercraft).
                                             $
                                             $
        Cost Key (Provides relative costs of mitigation measures - actual costs may differ for your utility)
           $ - Little to no cost. Some internal level of effort required, but no contractor support needed.
           $$ - Moderate cost/complexity. Likely involves contractual costs.
          $$$ - High cost/complexity. Will require one or more contractors to implement this option.
   See Mitigation Options (Drinking Water Treatment Plant)
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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
&EPA
                                                                         rn to Mitigation Options
  Mitigation  Options
  BOOSTER STATIONS AND OTHER PUMPS (page 1 of 2)
       Drinking water
  Flood waters can severely damage pumps, thereby impacting the
  entire drinking water system from intake through distribution.
  Similarly, loss of facility power could render pumps inoperable
  without adequate backup power. Vulnerable water facility control
  systems include pump controls, variable frequency drives, electrical
  panels, motor control centers and Supervisory Control and
  Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems.

  See the following checklist for potential flood mitigation options for your utility booster station/pumps.
                 Mitigation Options for Booster Stations and Other Pumps
  Cost
   1.  Prevent booster stations from flooding.


a.
b.
Procure temporary flood barriers (e.g., sandbags) for use in minor floods.
Install permanent physical barriers (e.g., flood walls, levees, sealed doors).
$
$$
2. Protect critical components if booster stations do flood. |







a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
9-
During upgrades or design of new equipment, develop capability to temporarily
remove and safely store vulnerable components in advance of a flood.
Waterproof, relocate or elevate motor controls, variable frequency drives, computers
and electrical panels to a higher elevation by constructing platforms or integrating
controls into existing buildings or infrastructure on-site.
De-energize systems prior to flooding to mitigate damage to electrical components.
Replace non-submersible pumps with submersible pumps, if cost effective.
Replace standard electrical conduits with sealed, waterproof conduits. Replace
electrical panels with submersion rated enclosures.
Install sump pumps for below-ground facilities. Although not typically used to protect
against flooding events, sump pumps may provide additional time to take other
mitigation measures.
Replace a below-grade booster station with an above-grade station elevated higher
than the flood stage.
$
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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
                                      SEPA
                                                                     Return to Mitigation Options
  Mitigation  Options
  BOOSTER STATIONS AND OTHER PUMPS (page 2 of 2)
3. Maintain pumping operations when the electrical grid is down.' |



^^^^m
a. Store temporary or replacement pumps out of the flood zone.
b. Install energy efficient equipment to increase the longevity of the fuel supply for
backup generators.
c. Replace pumps with diesel driven or dual-option counterparts.
d. Consider options for procuring generators (permanent or portable) or an alternative
energy supply.
$
$$
vP
v>
4. Maintain pumping operations. |


a. Maintain a call list of multiple vendors that can provide "pump around" services in an
emergency or enter into an agreement with one.
b. Procure extra portable pumps or specialized parts to repair damaged pumps.
Consider stockpiling major components of specialized high capacity pumps.
$
\P\P~\P\b\P
        Cost Key (Provides relative costs of mitigation measures - actual costs may differ for your utility)

          $ - Little to no cost. Some internal level of effort required, but no contractor support needed.
          $$ - Moderate cost/complexity. Likely involves contractual costs.
         $$$ - High cost/complexity. Will require one or more contractors to implement this option.
  See Mitigation Options (Power Supply)
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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
&EPA
                                                                           rn to Mitigation Options
  Mitigation Options
  DRINKING WATER TREATMENT PLANT (page 1 of 2)
       Drinking water
  Flood waters may inundate a treatment facility and wash out open
  tanks and filter beds, damage mechanical equipment, render
  electrical power and controls useless, spoil finished water storage,
  deposit debris on-site or wash contaminants into the treatment
  process. Flood waters may also alter source water chemistry and
  turbidity, posing treatment challenges to utilities that continue to
  operate during a flood. For example, residence times may need to
  be significantly longerfollowing a flood to attain safe drinking
  water standards due to high turbidity and the potential influence  of contaminants in the flood waters.

  See the following checklist for potential flood mitigation options for your utility treatment plant.
                   Mitigation Options for Drinking Water Treatment Plant
  Cost



a. Install physical barriers to protect the entire facility from flooding (e.g., flood walls,
levees) or be able to deploy temporary systems that achieve the required
protection.
b. Install green infrastructure within or beyond the boundaries of the treatment plant to
attenuate, divert or retain flood water and storm surges.
c. Install flood water pumping systems and/or channel/culvert systems to collect and
divert flood water away from treatment processes.
\P\P~\P\b\P
\P\P~\P\b\P
v>
2. Protect critical components if the treatment plant does flood. 1




a. During upgrades or design of new equipment, develop capability to temporarily
remove and safely store vulnerable components before a flood when there is
enough advanced notice to do so.
b. Install saltwater-resistant equipment and storage tanks (e.g., for chemicals and
fuel).
c. Waterproof electrical components (e.g., pump motors, monitoring equipment) and
circuitry.
d. Elevate, relocate or cap individual assets to prevent damage from flood waters;
vertically extend the walls of a treatment structure (e.g., basin, tank, filter) above
flood stage; and/or flood-proof/seal structures to prevent seepage of flood water
into the treatment train.
$d?d?d?
-vpvpvP
vP
vt>

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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
                                      SEPA
                                                                     Return to Mitigation Options
  Mitigation  Options
  DRINKING WATER TREATMENT PLANT  (page 2 of 2)

e. Replace motorized and electrical equipment with submersible equipment (e.g.,
submersible pumps).

3. Maintain delivery of safe drinking water during flooding. •




a. Monitor the quality of raw water entering the treatment plant and be prepared to
adjust the treatment process as necessary (e.g., chemical addition, residence time)
to account for higher contaminant loading or increased turbidity.
b. Purchase portable, handheld testing equipment to serve as a backup to permanent
mounted testing equipment that may be inoperable during a flood.
c. Develop process guidelines or models to understand potential water quality
changes, adjustments that may have to be made to attain drinking water standards
and the potential costs of changes in treatment.
d. Explore interconnections or other partnership opportunities to share resources or
facilitate emergency public water supply services with neighboring water utilities.
$
$
$$
\p\p— \p\p\p
4. Maintain operation of treatment plant if electrical grid is down. 1 H


a. Install energy-efficient equipment to increase the longevity of the fuel supply for
backup generators.
b. Replace motorized equipment with diesel-driven or dual-option counterparts.
v>
vP
5. Increase storage capacity in preparation for floods. |



a. Consider filling finished water storage tanks to capacity prior to a storm event to
maximize storage if service is interrupted or if the utility is damaged.
b. Install larger capacity chemical storage tanks to ensure a sufficient supply through
and beyond an emergency until the supply chain is restored.
c. Determine if increased finished water emergency storage capacity would be
beneficial (as opposed to water age/quality concerns).
$
$$
$$
      Cost Key (Provides relative costs of mitigation measures - actual costs may differ for your utility)

         $ - Little to no cost. Some internal level of effort required, but no contractor support needed.
         $$ - Moderate cost/complexity. Likely involves contractual costs.
        $$$ - High cost/complexity. Will require one or more contractors to implement this option.
  See Mitigation Options (Power Supply)
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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
&EPA
  Mitigation  Options
  LIFT STATIONS (page 1 of 2)
                                                                             rn to Mitigation Options
        Wastewater
  Lift stations are typically located at the lowest points in gravity-fed
  sewer systems and are therefore prone to flooding. Lift stations are
  also vulnerable to power outages. When lift stations lose power and
  do not have adequate emergency power, untreated sewage can back
  up into homes and businesses, flood streets or run off into local
  waterways.This presents a serious threatto public health and the
  environment. Utilities should analyze various lift station failure
  scenarios (using flood stage in the flood zone for hydraulic
  calculations) and determine potential impacts to help inform mitigation decisions. Mitigation decisions will
  also depend on the type of lift station (e.g., wet or dry well), location (above or below grade), existing
  enclosure and ancillary equipment (e.g., minimal electrical/mechanical control equipment versus grit
  chambers, screens, electrical panels and other equipment).

  See the following checklist for potential flood mitigation options for your utility lift stations.
                    Mitigation Options for Collection System Lift Stations
  Cost
   1.  Prevent lift stations from flood





a. Procure temporary flood barriers (e.g., sandbags) for use in minor floods.
b. Extend vent lines above anticipated flood stage to prevent floodwater from entering
the lift station.
c. Install gates and backflow prevention devices on influent and emergency overflow
lines to prevent inundation of the lift station by the collection system and the
overflow.
d. Install permanent physical barriers (e.g., flood walls, levees, sealed doors).
e. Install green infrastructure to attenuate or divert flood water and storm surges away
from lift stations.
$
$q>
$
$$
$$
2. Protect critical components if lift stations do flood. ^


a. Install unions in the conduit system to reduce the time required to repair damaged
sections.
b. During upgrades or design of new equipment, develop capability to temporarily
remove and safely store vulnerable components before a flood when there is
enough advanced notice to do so.
$
$
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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
                                        4>EPA
  Mitigation Options
  LIFT STATIONS (page 2 of 2)
                                                                        Return to Mitigation Options




c.
d.
e.
f.
3. Mainta



a.
b.
c.
Waterproof electrical components, controls and circuitry.
Relocate or elevate electrical components (e.g., motors, switchgears, motor control
centers, cathodic protection systems, exhaust fans, etc.) above the flood stage.
Replace vulnerable components with a submersible option (e.g., pumps, flow
meters, gate/valve operators, etc.).
Replace a below-grade lift station with an above-grade station elevated higher than
the flood stage.


Consider options to procure generators (permanent or portable), increase fuel
storage capacity or install an alternative energy supply. The generators should be
elevated above the flood stage, have automated controls and be sized
appropriately. On-site fuel storage should also be elevated and secured to prevent
floatation.
Install energy efficient equipment to increase the longevity of the fuel supply for
backup generators.
Replace pumps with diesel driven or dual-option counterparts.
vP
vP



vP
vP
vP
4. Have a means of bypassing normal lift station operations when necessary. ^1



a.
b.
c.
Maintain a call list of multiple vendors that can provide "pump around" services in an
emergency or enter into an agreement with one.
Procure portable pumps to restore operation of a damaged lift station following an
event.
Implement a regionalization project to enable diversion of wastewater flows to an
alternate system for emergency wastewater collection and conveyance.
$
$$

       Cost Key (Provides relative costs of mitigation measures - actual costs may differ for your utility)
         $ - Little to no cost. Some internal level of effort required, but no contractor support needed.
         $$ - Moderate cost/complexity. Likely involves contractual costs.
        $$$ - High cost/complexity. Will require one or more contractors to implement this option.
  See Mitigation Options (Power Supply)
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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
&EPA
                                                                             rn to Mitigation Options
  Mitigation  Options
  HEADWORKS (page 1 of 2)
        Wastewater
  The headworks includes the structures and equipment at the
  beginning of the wastewater treatment plant, such as gates and flow
  controls, metering equipment, pumps, mechanical screens and grit
  removal systems. This equipment is often at a lower elevation
  compared to the rest of the facility, increasing its vulnerability to
  flooding. If the headworks is off-line due to flooding, the rest of the
  plant would be inoperable. A failure of the headworks without a relief
  or bypass may also create backwater effects on the collection system
  that could flood streets and basements. Utility operators should identify how a headworks failure would affect
  the collection system and wastewater treatment plant performance using flood water elevations in the flood
  zone for hydraulic calculations and then implement the appropriate mitigation measures.

  See the following checklist for potential flood mitigation options foryour utility headworks.
T T
S Mitigation Options for Headworks Cost
1. Protect critical headworks components from flooding. 1






a. Install nonelectrical backup controls where possible (e.g., float switches for pumps).
b. During upgrades or design of new equipment, develop capability to temporarily
remove and safely store vulnerable components before a flood when there is
enough advanced notice to do so.
c. Upgrade mechanical screens to prevent debris blockages and hydraulic restrictions
in anticipation of higher than normal sand, grit, trash and debris loading during and
immediately after a flood event.
d. Waterproof or elevate motor control units, instrumentation and controls, electrical
panels, variable frequency drives and other systems.
e. Elevate pump and screen motors and other process mechanical/electrical
equipment above flood stage.
f. Replace dry well pumps with submersible pumps; consider increased capacity
needed during storm/flood events.
$
$£££
-vpvpvP
vP
$$
$$
$$
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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
                                        SEPA
                                                                        Return to Mitigation Options
  Mitigation Options
  HEADWORKS (page 2 of 2)

2. Maintain headworks operation when the electrical grid is down.1 ^1


a. Secure backup power supply for the headworks. Consider installing a generator just
for the headworks or procuring a mobile generator with sufficient output for the
same purpose.
b. Replace motorized equipment with diesel driven or dual-option counterparts.
vP
v>


       Cost Key (Provides relative costs of mitigation measures - actual costs may differ for your utility)

         $ - Little to no cost. Some internal level of effort required, but no contractor support needed.
         $$ - Moderate cost/complexity. Likely involves contractual costs.
        $$$ - High cost/complexity. Will require one or more contractors to implement this option.
  See Mitigation Options (Power Supply)
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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
&EPA
  Mitigation Options
  WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT (page 1 of 2)
                                                                            rn to Mitigation Options
        Wastewater
  Wastewater treatment plants are typically located at low elevations
  and near a receiving water body, which may pose a significant flood
  risk to a facility. Coastal facilities face additional risk from storm
  surges and saline flood waters that can corrode storage tanks,
  circuitryand equipment.

  Flood waters can wash out primary and secondary clarifiers,
  aeration tanks and chlorine contact chambers, as well as upset
  bioreactors. Other impacts from flood waters include damage to mechanical and electrical
  equipment/controls, interference with biosolids handling and disposal systems as well as washing of
  contaminants into the treatmenttrain.Treatment plants that are still operational during a flood need to be
  prepared to accommodate higher flow rates and increased pollutant loads.

  See the following checklist for potential flood mitigation options for your utility treatment plant.
                     Mitigation Options for Wastewater Treatment Plant
  Cost
   1.  Prevent treatment plant from flooding.






a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Install physical barriers to protect the entire facility from flooding (e.g., flood walls,
levee, sealed doors) or be able to deploy temporary systems that achieve the
required protection.
Install green infrastructure within or beyond the boundaries of the treatment works
to attenuate, divert or retain flood water and storm surges.
Install flood water pumping systems and or channel/culvert systems to collect and
divert flood water.
Correct infiltration and inflow problems to reduce flows to the treatment works in a
flood.
Separate combined sewers to reduce flows to the treatment works in a flood.
Construct a large storage tank to store overflows for future treatment (e.g., a large-
capacity combined sewerage overflow (CSO) tunnel).
vP
vP
vP

d^d^d^
vpvpvP

2. Protect critical components if treatment plant does flood. |


a.
b.
Secure air tanks to prevent floatation if flooded.
During upgrades or design of new equipment, develop capability to temporarily
remove and safely store vulnerable components before a flood when there is
enough advanced notice to do so.
$
$<£<£<£
-$$$
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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
                                       4>EPA
  Mitigation  Options
  WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT (page 2 of 2)
                                                                      Return to Mitigation Options





c. Install saltwater resistant equipment and storage tanks (e.g., for chemicals and
fuel), if near a coastline/brackish water.
d. Waterproof electrical components (e.g., pump motors) and circuitry.
e. Elevate, relocate or cap individual assets (e.g., blowers, chemical/fuel/air tanks,
instrumentation/controls) to prevent damage from flood waters; vertically extend the
walls of a treatment structure (e.g., clarifier, basin, tank) above flood stage and/or
flood-proof/seal structures to prevent seepage of flood water into the treatment
train.
f. Replace motorized and electrical equipment with submersible equipment (e.g.,
submersible pumps).
g. Have an alternative access plan in case normal access to the treatment plant is
blocked. Consult with other entities (e.g., Department of Transportation) to consider
alternate road/transportation options (e.g., watercraft).
$
$$


$
3. Maintain treatment plant operations when the electrical grid is down1 and/or access




a. Install larger capacity chemical and fuel storage tanks to ensure a sufficient supply
through and beyond an emergency until the supply chain is restored.
b. Install energy efficient equipment to increase the longevity of the fuel supply for
backup generators.
c. Replace motorized equipment with diesel driven or dual-option counterparts.
d. Consider options for procuring backup generators or an alternative energy supply.
$
$$
v>
vP
4. Have a means of bypassing normal treatment plant operations when necessary.



a. Install an external connection to the facility's compressed air system to allow a
temporary, portable air compressor to be used if the main air compressor becomes
disabled.
b. Procure portable pumps or maintain a call list of multiple vendors that can provide
"pump around" services in case part of the treatment train is off-line.
c. Implement a regionalization project to enable diversion of wastewater flows to an
alternate system for emergency wastewater collection and treatment services.
$
$$

       Cost Key (Provides relative costs of mitigation measures - actual costs may differ for your utility)

         $ - Little to no cost. Some internal level of effort required, but no contractor support needed.
         $$ - Moderate cost/complexity. Likely involves contractual costs.
        $$$ - High cost/complexity. Will require one or more contractors to implement this option.
  See Mitigation Options (Power Supply)
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FLOOD RESILIENCE: A Basic Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities
                                               &EPA
  Pilot Project  at a Small Drinking Water  Utility


  BERWICK, MAINE	

  A small drinking water utility in Berwick, Maine was
  concerned about flooding events from a nearby river. In May
  2006 and April 2007, the Berwick Water Department (BWD)
  was impacted by two consecutive loo-year storms. In both
  instances, road access to the BWD facility was cut off by high
  flood waters. BWD was concerned that it may be vulnerable
  to more intense floods in the future.

  At the  request of BWD, utility operators and EPA engineers
  conducted a pilot resilience project to evaluate the flooding
  risk and determine what actions could improve the utility's
  resilience to flooding. EPA and BWD staff carried out the four
  steps described in the selection, Approach to Flood Resilience.

  Using FEMA floodplain  information and incorporating future uncertainties such as land use changes,
  urban development and climate change, BWD characterized the impact of three flood levels (loo-year
  flood, 5oo-year flood, and a 5oo-year flood plus 2 feet freeboard). Critical assets that needed to be
  protected from flooding included process pumps; heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC),
  instrumentation and electrical controls as well as chemical storage tanks. The utility operators and
  engineers estimated the costs to repair/replace flooded assets and determined the potential impacts to
  operations.

  Finally, the BWD operators and engineers identified mitigation options to protect their systems and provided
  recommendations to their management. Short-term mitigation options included placing sandbags at utility
  entryways, installing backflow preventers on low lying overflow pipes, securing or elevating tanks to prevent
  floating and ensuring adequate finished water storage priorto storm events. Many of the mitigation options
  were low cost or would  have other benefits to operations. EPA helped BWD develop a plan that calls for
  implementing certain measures in the short-term to address immediate utility needs. The plan also allows for
  flexibility in applying other measures when additional utility resources become available and when conditions
  require increased flood  protection. Since the assessment, BWD has secured an alternate access road so staff can
  enterthe plant if the main road is inundated during a flood.
 Quotes from Berwick Water Department
 "When you realize that a flood could
 come and bring [your workable plant]
 all to an end in a couple of hours, and
 you'd be down for potentially weeks,
 that makes you ...want to know,
 what can I do to avoid this?"
"I'd be implementing some planning
and some low cost alternatives
right away, and then looking at the
big budget picture for other things."
"Think ahead. Make plans
now. Reduce the risk, and
you'll be happy in the end."
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             Flood Resilience: A Basic Guide for
               Water and Wastewater Utilities
Office of Water (4608T) - EPA 817-B-14 -006- September 2014

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