NCWaterWARN: What It Is and How to Access This Vital Resource
By Emma Copenhaver, Project Analyst, UNC Environmental Finance Center
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, many utilities in western North Carolina are seeking funding and support from state and federal agencies. Accessing these resources is critical for disaster recovery efforts; however, it may take time before municipalities receive these funds. Even then, they must locate critical resources, including equipment and personnel, to support the recovery process. While many municipalities across the state have stepped in to support each other, there is an overwhelming need for assistance.
The North Carolina Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (NCWaterWARN) is a network of utilities across the state dedicated to helping each other respond to and recover from emergencies. North Carolina Rural Water Association (NCRWA) provides some administrative support to NCWaterWARN, and all member utilities are required to maintain an active NCRWA membership. NCWaterWARN can assist on a larger, state-level scale by capitalizing on existing relationships and placement of resources throughout the state. Not only does NCWaterWARN provide utilities with quicker access to specialized equipment and additional personnel when they need it most, but it can help kickstart the recovery process for water and wastewater utilities, meaning critical facilities can return to normal operations faster, and residents can come back to their homes.
How to Request Assistance
Member utilities facing a local disaster may contact other members to request assistance in the form of personnel, equipment, materials, and supplies. Utilities may already have preexisting relationships with other members of NCWaterWARN, so it may make the most sense to communicate directly via email or phone. If the disaster is more widespread or a member utility requesting assistance does not have an existing relationship with a utility that can help, they may also send a request through the NCWaterWARN database.
NCWaterWARN maintains the database and contains information about each member, including contact information and the assistance they can offer during a disaster. The database also acts as a communications hub for utilities that activate the agreement. Once utilities open a line of communication, though, the individual units are responsible for determining the logistics of the assistance, including response times, amenities, and other operations-specific needs. NCWaterWARN is only responsible for managing communications and logistics; it is not involved in coordinating assistance and allocating resources between individual utilities.
During state or national-level declared disasters, the NCWaterWARN program merges with North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM) to better streamline operations. Given the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Helene, NCWaterWARN has been operating at a state level to manage resources better and streamline efforts in affected areas. Individual units requesting or offering assistance during declared disasters should still coordinate assistance efforts through NCWaterWARN. Many utilities across the state have already been providing support through NCWaterWARN, including Charlotte Water and Cape Fear Public Utility Authority.
Member Responsibilities
Member utilities requesting and offering assistance must follow certain procedures to ensure a timely and efficient allocation of resources. All member utilities must keep key information in the database, including contact information and relevant resources they could reasonably provide in an emergency. Additionally, all member utilities must maintain an active membership with NCRWA.
When member utilities request assistance, they need to provide information about the specific resources they need, as well as information about the incident, its impact on operations, and available communication tools. Responding utilities need to evaluate whether they can reasonably provide the assistance requested, but they are not required to respond if they cannot. If the responding utility can provide support, it is up to the requesting and responding utilities to organize an action plan to move the requested resources to the requesting utility.
The responding utility maintains control of any assets it provides to the responding utility. Additionally, the requesting utility is responsible for providing safe lodging, food, and reimbursement for personnel time. Requesting utilities must also pay for associated equipment costs, such as fuel and regular maintenance, to ensure everything is returned to the responding utility in the same condition that it was sent in.
Once the requesting utility returns equipment and personnel, the responding utility has 90 days to submit an invoice for expenses related to the mutual aid provided and 180 days to pay. This process may give requesting utilities more time to access federal funds to pay reimbursement costs, which could help speed up disaster recovery operations. Both parties must maintain appropriate documentation about the request and response to qualify for reimbursement.
Governance of NCWaterWARN
An Executive Committee is responsible for ensuring the proper implementation of NCWaterWARN. It has developed an operational plan fleshing out the mutual aid system. It also manages the database, holds quarterly meetings, provides training for member utilities, and represents the program on a state level to various agencies, including the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and North Carolina Emergency Management.
NCWaterWARN allows nine seats on the committee: three are allocated to the Western Region, three are allocated to the Eastern Region, and three are allocated at-large, meaning that any utility may hold those seats. Member utilities vote for representatives in their respective regions. Members of the Executive Committee elect the chair and vice chair, who then appoint the secretary.
How to Join NCWaterWARN
More information about the program is available through the. To join NCWaterWARN, utilities must first obtain and maintain an active membership with NCRWA. Once this step is completed, utilities must fill out and submit the NCWaterWARN Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement. To complete these steps, a utility needs to convene its governing body. Interested utilities can join the network relatively quickly and access resources when needed. No matter their size, any public or private utility is eligible to join.
During an emergency, having quick and reliable access to critical resources can help utilities safely restore operations and respond to immediate needs. To learn more about NCWaterWARN membership, utilities may visit the NCWaterWARN website or contact a member utility.
Need technical assistance? The UNC Environmental Finance Center is here to help!
The Environmental Finance Center at UNC-CH offers free one-on-one technical assistance with water systems. If you are interested in our support, fill out our Technical Assistance Request Form or contact us at efc@sog.unc.edu.