Emergency Plan - Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority

EVENT SPECIFIC GUIDELINES 11 (ESG-11)
MAJOR WATER MAIN LEAK / BREAK
Major Water Main Leak / Break
3.2.36. SITUATION
GSWSA operates and maintains several hundred miles of water mains throughout
its service area.
GSWSA relies on these water mains to transport potable water from the treatment
plants to each and every customer, maintaining the same quality, adequate
pressure, and volume from start to finish.
3.2.37. THREAT or HAZARD INFORMATION
A broken or leaking water main compromises the water system in a number of
ways. Possible complications include, but are not limited to:
• “lost” water (treated, but not sold)
• reduction in pressure available to customers
• reduction in volume (amount) available to customers
• complete loss of water service to customers
• loss of business for commercial customers that depend on water service
• loss of pressure / volume for firefighting activities
• contamination from foreign materials entering at the leak / break site
• contamination from foreign materials being back-siphoned into the system
through “cross-connections” during low / no pressure situation
3.2.38. CONCEPT of OPERATIONS
GSWSA operates and maintains pressure transmitters at the pumping stations, to
control and monitor the pressures that are being introduced into the Distribution
System.
GSWSA operates and maintains a number of remote pressure transmitters
throughout the Distribution System that, through the SCADA system, constantly
monitor the water pressure in many areas of the system.
Any pressure transmitter registering a pre-determined pressure will send a “Low
Pressure” alarm to the SCADA System (Control Room PC) and to the On-Call
Operator’s pager.
3.2.39. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Specific procedures regarding Distribution System maintenance activities are
maintained in the Utilities Division Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
Manual.
Determine approximately how many and to what extent are customers are
affected.
Classify the incident in accordance with Section 1.6 of the Basic Plan.
Notify Safety Manager for any incident classified as Level 2 or higher.
Grand Strand Water & Sewer Authority 119 CONFIDENTIAL MATERIALS
Emergency Management Plan
SECURITY SENSITIVE
June 7, 2013
NOT FOR PUBLIC
DISCLOSURE