United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
SMALL WATER SYSTEMS
A Vital Component of WARN
BACKGROUND
The mission of Water/Wastewater Agency Response Networks (WARN) is
to provide expedited access to specialized resources needed to respond to
and recover from natural and human caused events that disrupt public and
private drinking water and wastewater utilities.
Unlike existing statewide mutual aid agreements, WARN membership is
open to both public and private utilities. By adopting the WARN
approach to mutual aid and assistance, drinking water and wastewater
utilities in each state are able to sign a single agreement covering issues
such as indemnification, workers' compensation, and reimbursement. The
agreement also allows for utilities to share equipment, personnel, and
other resources to respond effectively to any crisis.
A WARN's success relies on a strong base of member utilities willing to help one another during
emergencies. For this reason, no utility is too large or too small to benefit from WARN, and each
additional member enhances the probability of a successful response to an emergency.
ROLE OF SMALL SYSTEMS IN WARN
Every existing WARN includes small systems as members and all member utilities have equal
rights, regardless of size. Small systems are eligible to serve on the various WARN committees
and subcommittees, as well as serve as the WARN Chair, if elected to the position. Small
systems, like all members, can request or send resources during an emergency, but are not
obligated to do so if they decide not to for any reason.
Existing WARNs have found that small systems are typically best prepared to respond to other
small systems' requests, since they are more familiar with the equipment used at small systems.
Additionally, personnel and equipment from small systems can be pooled into a combined team
to assist larger systems, if needed.
WATER SECTOR SUPPORT
Eight maj or water organizations signed the Joint Policy Statement on Mutual Aid and Assistance
Networks in February 2006, encouraging utilities and local/state governments to establish
intrastate mutual aid and assistance networks. Among the signatories, the National Rural Water
Association (NRWA) committed to the "Utilities Helping Utilities" concept and encourages its
members to discuss mutual aid and assistance with their peers. The Rural Community Assistance
Partnership (RCAP) has also provided outreach support to the development of WARNs across
the nation.
Additional support is available through outreach products developed by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) to aid utilities in the development of mutual aid and assistance
networks, found at: http://cfpub.epa.gov/safewater/watersecuritv/home.cfm7program id=8#maa
Office of Water (4608-T) | EPA817-F-09-009 | November 2009 | www.epa.qov/watersecuritv
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MUTUAL AID AND ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL WATER SYSTEMS
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SMALL SYSTEMS' INVOLVEMENT IN WARN RESPONSES
Responding to Requests for Assistance
City of Alamosa, Colorado, Water Contamination Incident (2008) - Colorado WARN
response consisted of 23 utilities and the NRWA providing incident management and
sampling expertise, as well as resources for flushing and disinfecting the water system.
Hurricanes Umberto and Ike (2007-2008) - Texas WARN response included small systems
locating generators and coordinating support to utilities who lost power.
Southern California Fires (2007) - California WARN response included small systems
providing resources such as operators, mechanics, electricians, water quality technicians,
water buffaloes for firefighting, and bottled water for affected citizens.
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (2005) - Florida WARN response included small systems who
cleaned electrical components and lift stations, fixed electrical motors and pumps, and
repaired water main leaks.
Requesting Assistance
• City of Alamosa, Colorado, Water Contamination Incident (2008) - City of Alamosa's water
system responded to a Salmonella outbreak and received aid from small systems through
Colorado WARN.
• Hurricane Katrina (2005) - Hundreds of small systems requested assistance through Florida
WARN and received support from 14 different member utilities.
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT WARN
FALSE
WARN is geared toward larger
systems.
Small systems do not have
enough resources to respond to
requests for assistance.
WARN membership is too
expensive for small systems to
participate.
Putting the WARN agreement
through legal review is cost-
prohibitive.
WARN membership obligates
small systems to send resources.
WARN membership precludes
small systems from participating
in other mutual aid and
assistance agreements or utilizing
resources from contractors or
associations.
TRUE
> Small systems and large systems have equal rights in every
existing WARN.
> Resources and personnel from small systems have been used in
past WARN responses and can be pooled to meet large requests.
> Existing WARNs do not require a membership or retainer fee.
> All member utilities volunteer time to develop and maintain their
WARN.
> In existing WARNs, legal experts from small and large systems
have already reviewed the agreement and additional review may
not be necessary.
> Some states' Attorney Generals have reviewed the WARN
agreement and many small systems do not feel the need to
complete an additional legal review.
> No member is obligated to send resources if they decide not to
for any reason.
> WARN recognizes the need for member utilities to also access
local agreements and statewide programs, and does not attempt
to replace them.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Contact John Whitler of EPA (whitler.j ohn@epa. gov) or visit:
http://cfpub.epa.gov/safewater/watersecurity/home.cfm?program id=8#maa.
Office of Water (4608-T) | EPA 817-F-09-009 | November 2009 | www.epa.qov/watersecuritv
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