AWWA, AMWA Send Joint Letter To Senate Committee Looking At Chemical Spills

AWWA and the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies have sent a letter to the Senate Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife on how EPA and states can help water systems better prepare for emergencies such as the recent chemical spill in West Virginia.

Among the key points was the need for speedy notification of nearby water utilities of any incident that releases a chemical into water supplies. Timely notification of what exactly was released can help a utility choose the appropriate response, from shutting down intakes, adjusting treatment, switching to alternate supplies and providing customers with accurate advisories. Another key issue is what a utility should do with contaminated water.