Do you oversee a community water system that serves over 3,300 people? If so, recent legislation has introduced a new EPA requirement that will impact you directly. And the timeline for complying is already ticking away.

The America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWAI) of 2018 requires that water utilities complete a risk and resilience assessment of their entire facility, then follow-up with an emergency response plan. The deadlines have been set (see below) for completion of these critical documents that are an EPA requirement.

CMT has already been approached by several communities that are looking for our expertise on the new requirement and advice on the best way to fulfill their obligations. Our people have been hard at work developing strategies for compliance in a way that is both comprehensive and economically viable for communities and organizations that must find money in their budgets for this new requirement.

A risk assessment of this kind requires an in-depth understanding of water treatment and distribution systems, and their many components. Our multi-disciplined team of water resources professionals are experienced in evaluating treatment processes, operations, mechanical and electrical systems, and buildings and structures for vulnerabilities to both natural hazards and malevolent acts.

If you’re ready to move forward on developing your risk and resilience plan and emergency response, CMT is prepared to assist you in any way we can. Or, if you’re still unclear on what this new requirement means for you, give us a call and Ty Besalke, Water Group Manager, and he’ll  be happy to discuss it with you.

The number one piece of advice that we’re offering all our current clients is to not wait too long to begin. The deadlines will be approaching fast.

ASSESSMENT DEADLINES:

March 31, 2020 – Systems serving over 100,000

December 31, 2020 – Systems serving over 50,000 to 99,999

June 30, 2021 – Systems serving over 3,301 to 49,999

EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN DEADLINES:

September 30, 2020 – Systems serving over 100,000

June 30, 2021 – Systems serving over 100,000

December 30, 2021 – Systems serving over 100,000