N.H. Code Admin. R. Env-Ws 360.15

Current through Register No. 25, June 20, 2024

Section Env-Ws 360.15 - Emergency Plans for Community Water Systems

(a) The owner of each community water system shall prepare an emergency plan to address emergency situations.

(b) An emergency situation shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) A failure of, or a significant unplanned or emergency interruption in, key water treatment processes;

(2) A natural or man-made disaster that disrupts the water supply distribution system; or

(3) The accidental or intentional discharge of one or more chemicals or biological substances into the source water that significantly increases the potential for drinking water contamination;.

(c) The emergency plan shall include the following:

(1) An organizational chart identifying the individuals responsible for making decisions and describing the responsibilities of each individual during an emergency situation;

(2) A description of how the department, local officials, water system customers, andthe general public will be notified of an emergency situation;

(3) The mailing address, emergency telephone number, and non-emergency telephone number of each ofthe following local officials and agencies:

a. The fire department;

b. The police department;

c. At least oneambulance service;

d. The health officer;

e. The water system's primarycertified operator(s); and

f. The owner(s) of abutting water system(s);

(4) The emergency and non-emergency telephone numbers of the following state agencies:

a. The state police;

b. The department's water supply engineering bureau;

c. The department of safety, bureau of emergency management; and

d. The department of health and human services,office of community and public health;

(5) The names and emergency and non-emergency telephone numbers for local service and repair contractors thatmight be needed in an emergency, including but not limited to:

a. An electrician;

b. The electric utility;

c. A pump specialist;

d. An excavation contractor; and

e. A hazardous waste clean-up contractor;

(6) The name andemergency and non-emergency telephone numbers for each service customer with unique water supply needs, including but not limited to:

a. Hospitals;

b. Nursing homes;

c. Health rehabilitation centers; and

d. Elderly housing facilities;

(7) A description of how the water supply needs of service customers specified in (6) above, will be met;

(8) A list of the community water system's primary components, including but not limited to:

a. All active wells;

b. All operable inactive wells;

c. All surface sources;

d. All source and distribution pump stations;

e. All water treatment facilities; and

f. All storage tanks;

(9) An up-to-date single sheet, scaled plan of the water system, showing:

a The locations of the features listed as required in (8) above;

b. All distribution lines, pumping stations, treatment facilities and storage reservoirs; and

c. All shutoff valves to isolate sections of the water distribution system;

(10) A description of the community water system that includes at least the following:

a. The total production capacity of each active and inactive well or surface water treatment plant;

b. The total storage capacity of the system;

c. The average and maximum daily demand of the system; and

d. The system's ability to isolate sections of the distribution system;

(11) A description of short-term measures the community water system could use during an emergency situation, including, but not limited to:

a. Instituting a boil order;

b. The use of bottled water;

c. Imposing water use restrictions; and

d. Purchasing bulk water;

(12) A description of long-term measures the community water system could implement to address an emergency situation, including, but not limited to:

a. Water conservation;

b. Development of new sources of water;

c. Tie-in to adjacent water supply systems; and

d. Installation of water treatment; and

(13) A description of follow-up action and responsibility for returning to regular system operation.

(d) The owner of a community water system serving 501 or more persons shall include in the emergency plan, the following:

(1) The name, address, emergency and non-emergency telephone numbers of the following:

a. The water system superintendent;

b. Local newspaper(s); and

c. Local radio station(s);

(2) A list of equipment available to repair the system; and

(3) A description of existing information relative to the hydraulic connection of all wells to estimate the extent to which a contamination event would affect total production capacity, if available.

(e) The owner of a community water system in existence prior to the original effective date of this section, April 6, 2002, was required tosubmit an emergency plan to the department no later than April 6, 2003.

(f) The owner of a community water system created after April 6, 2002 but before December 1, 2005 shall submit an emergency plan to the department no later than January 1, 2006.

(g) Community water systems created on or after December 1, 2005 shall submit an emergency plan to the department as part of the final approval to operate process.

(h) The water system owner shall sign and date the emergency plan prior to submittal to the department.

(i) The water system owner and primary operator shall:

(1) Annually review the emergency plan; and

(2) Update the plan as necessary to reflect current information.

(j) The system owner shall file the most recent emergency plan with the department at least once every 6 years.

(k) The emergency plan shall be available for review during each scheduled sanitary survey, as required by Env-Ws 306.

N.H. Code Admin. R. Env-Ws 360.15

#8475, eff 11-30-05 (formerly Env-Ws 360.14 )