Hurricane season is here, and drinking water and wastewater utilities are being urged to strengthen emergency readiness using free tools and programs offered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The resources highlighted focus on mutual aid coordination, incident planning, mobile response support, technical assistance for risk reduction, and funding pathways for disaster recovery and mitigation. Together, they are intended to help systems prepare, respond, and recover more effectively from storm impacts.
For utility‑to‑utility support, the Water and Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN) enables mutual aid among systems within a state. Utilities can access state WARN websites along with videos, fact sheets, and a recorded webinar explaining how mutual aid agreements work and how to activate assistance. Participation helps streamline requests for specialized staff, equipment, and materials during hurricane response and recovery.
To complement emergency response plans, EPA provides the Hurricane Incident Action Checklist (IAC), developed with utility experts. The checklist outlines recommended actions before, during, and after a storm, helping operators verify critical steps and documentation under time pressure. EPA also offers incident action checklists for additional hazards, including wildfires and contamination, allowing utilities to tailor planning to their specific risk profile.
For on‑scene support, the EPA Response On‑The‑Go Plus mobile app equips operators and responders with weather warnings, responder contact information, and incident‑specific checklists for hurricanes. The app also supports damage assessments with forms and photo attachments, helping utilities capture conditions systematically in the field. It is available from the Apple App Store and Google Play for rapid deployment to response teams.
Utilities seeking targeted technical assistance can work with EPA’s Strengthening Water Infrastructure for Tomorrow (SWIFT) program. SWIFT helps systems assess natural hazard risks, identify mitigation strategies, and prioritize risk‑informed infrastructure investments. The program also supports updates to emergency response plans based on findings. Utilities can request assistance by contacting SWIFT.
To support financing, EPA’s Fed FUNDS resource provides information tailored to water and wastewater utilities on federal disaster and mitigation funding programs administered by EPA, FEMA, HUD, and SBA. The companion Search for the Right Funding tool helps systems identify suitable opportunities ahead of an event, enabling faster access to recovery and mitigation dollars when needed. As hurricane season continues, utilities are encouraged to verify WARN membership, review the Hurricane IAC with staff, deploy the Response On‑The‑Go Plus app, consider SWIFT technical assistance, and use Fed FUNDS to line up potential financing pathways before severe weather arrives.
