Security and Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Response Plan (ERP) Resources

Resources for Security and Emergency Response Planning

All public water systems in Maine should prepare and implement (or update) emergency and security plans to include foreseeable and unforeseeable disturbances that could impact the production and supply of safe drinking water.

Emergency situations include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Failures or significant interruptions in the production of drinking water
• Natural disasters that disrupt the water supply
• Chemical spills or biological substances introduced into the water source that increase the potential for contamination
• Failures of cross connection
• Intentional physical intrusions of the water system
• Any other activities that disturb the production and supply of safe drinking water, thus endangering public health

All public water systems serving more than 3,300 persons are required by the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Response Act of 2002 (PDF) to complete Vulnerability Assessments and develop or revise Emergency Response Plans. All public water systems included in this requirement must make the Emergency Response Plans available for inspection by Drinking Water Program staff upon request.

Emergency Response Plans must include, but not by way of limitation, the following information to be utilized in the event of a terrorist or other intentional act perpetrated against the public water system:

• Actions, plans, procedures and equipment to be utilized to lessen the impact of the intentional act
• Emergency contact information
• Any other information deemed necessary to deal with the emergency

Security Breaches and Emergency Notification Requirements

• All Public Water Systems reporting security breaches, tampering events, or other emergencies affecting water system components to law enforcement must report the incidents to the Drinking Water Program.
• All PUC*-regulated Public Water Systems reporting security-related incidents to law enforcement agencies must report such incidents to both the Drinking Water Program and the PUC. (* Maine Public Utilities Commission)
• All Public Water Systems experiencing emergency events involving biological or chemical contamination of water system components must report said events to the Drinking Water Program.

Developing Security and Emergency Response Plans

To learn more, contact Susan Breau: Email or phone (207) 592-6981.

Additional Resources

• Emergency Water Supply Planning for Public Water Systems (PDF)
• Wellhead Protection Plan Template for Small Water Systems (PDF)
• Instructions for Wellhead Protection Plan Template (PDF)
• Drinking Water Program Emergency Response
• Top Ten Security Measures
• Public Water System Security Response Protocols
• Emergency Contact Numbers
• Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)
• US EPA Water Infrastructure Security (EPA)
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
• American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC)
• U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)

Updated 12/6/2022