Storm Preparation 101: Water and Wastewater Facilities
Storm Preparation to Build Operational Resilience
Water and wastewater facilities are lifelines for public health, and hurricanes can bring them to a standstill, putting those who rely on them at risk with operational disruptions, power loss, and infrastructure failure. Proactive storm preparation is essential to minimizing impacts and getting facilities back up and running quickly.
This guide outlines key steps to storm-proof your water infrastructure and ensure your facility remains functional, compliant, and safe when extreme weather strikes.
Build a Customized Storm Preparation Plan
When creating your hurricane preparedness plan, start with a facility-specific vulnerability assessment. Each location and facility faces different storm threats, so your checklist should be tailored accordingly.
Essential elements to include are:
- Infrastructure inspections and maintenance to identify weak points.
- Backup power and fuel supply strategies to keep essential systems online.
- Communication protocols for your staff and stakeholders to ensure everyone receives timely instructions and updates during an emergency.
- Stockpiles of emergency parts and clean water reserves to avoid supply disruptions.
It’s important to update your plan annually by incorporating key takeaways from past storms and considering implementing emerging technologies to stay ahead of future issues. Having a living document shared between your team can help you execute with confidence if an unexpected storm occurs.
Protect Critical Equipment and Maintain Power
Next, look to apply preventive security measures on your equipment and operational systems. Storm damage to pumps, valves, and power systems can halt operations for days, so it’s essential to take a proactive approach to reduce the risk of catastrophic system failure later.
Here are some of the key items to keep in mind:
- Installing surge protection and grounding systems to prevent damage from lightning strikes and power fluctuations.
- Elevating or waterproofing vulnerable equipment to reduce exposure to floodwaters and storm surges.
- Creating fuel management strategies for generators to guarantee a long-term power supply.
- Preventive maintenance of electrical and mechanical systems to ensure everything is functioning correctly.
By doing this, your power infrastructure is set to weather the storms and stay up and running while others go offline
Prevent Water Contamination and Ensure Emergency Supply
When clean water access gets interrupted during severe weather conditions, it can quickly lead to a public health emergency. To help minimize the risk of this happening, facilities should plan for shortages and potential disruptions by:
- Stockpiling water reserves to ensure safe drinking water.
- Regularly testing water quality and backflow systems to detect vulnerabilities.
- Establishing physical barriers to protect key systems from floodwaters.
- Coordinating with local health officials to ensure rapid response protocols are aligned.
Invest in Training, Drills, and Technology
Keeping your team prepared is just as important as updating your equipment and infrastructure. Your storm plan will only work if your team knows how to execute it.
Consider implementing these practices with your crew:
- Run regular drills and cross-train staff so team members are confident under pressure.
- Utilize simulation software for scenario planning to help teams visualize and navigate potential risks.
- Implement remote monitoring and sensing technologies to stay informed on system conditions.
- Review roles and responsibilities across departments so there’s no confusion.
Post-Storm Recovery and Assessment
When the skies clear, your focus shifts to recovery. We suggest starting with a rapid but thorough damage assessment to prioritize restoration efforts.
Key actions to undertake include:
- Inspect and test all critical systems to verify functionality and identify any risks.
- Document damage for compliance and insurance to streamline claims.
- Prioritize safety-related and operational-critical repairs to restore essential services quickly.
- Debrief with your team to capture insights for future readiness and strengthen your storm response strategy going forward.
Partner with Freedom Waterworks for Storm Preparation Solutions
At Freedom Waterworks, we help facilities across the U.S. strengthen their water infrastructure, ensuring they’re prepared for every storm. From in-stock emergency components to in-house ductile iron fabrication and storm-resistant coatings, we deliver what you need, when you need it.
Call (713) 467-3300 or visit freedomwaterworks.com to speak with our experts and request a storm preparedness consultation today.
