What to know
This 2019 revised guide provides a road map for healthcare facilities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a total or partial water supply interruption. It provides guidance to assess water usage, response capabilities, and water supply alternatives.
About this guide
During water system interruptions, the operation of healthcare facilities is severely interrupted and capability can be almost completely degraded within two hours. In order to maintain daily operations and patient care services, healthcare facilities need to develop a water supply plan before an emergency.
Several types of events can cause water supply interruption. These include natural disasters, failures of the community water system, construction damage, or even acts of terrorism. Because water supplies can and do fail, it is imperative to understand and address how patient safety, quality of care, and the operations of your facility will be impacted.
The planning guide was published as a collaborative effort between CDC, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the American Water Works Association (AWWA).
Resources
Toolkit: Developing a Legionella Water Management Program
NIAC Water Sector Resilience: Final Report and Recommendations
Considerations for Reducing Risk: Water in Healthcare Facilities