Emergency Plan - Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority

APPENDIX 13
PRESS RELEASES
5.12 Press Releases
NEWS
For more information contact:
Fred Richardson (CEO) – 843-443-8221
Emergency number – 843-***-****
Plan Now for Household Water Safety
Important Steps Before Hurricane Approaches
GSWSA ** Conway, S.C. - - dateline here - - Local residents are urged to implement a
household water safety plan as Hurricane _________________________ approaches the
Carolina coast.
“Every household needs a detailed plan to ensure safety and that plan should begin with clean
water,” said Fred Richardson, GSWSA CEO. “We urge customers to conserve water uses
immediately after a storm. This helps reduce the impact on our water and wastewater systems and
will give us time to get our entire system back in order.”
Here’s a quick look at planning tips you may find helpful:
Water Storage
Store regular tap water in half-gallon or one gallon containers, preferably made of heavy plastic
with screw caps such as soft drink containers. Fill containers completely. DO NOT USE
DISCARDED PLASTIC MILK CONTAINERS because they do not seal well. Mark containers
with current date, discard within six months.
The average household should have one gallon of water per person per day for cooking and
drinking. You should keep at least a three day supply.
To increase shelf life of water, store bottles in dark plastic trash bags to keep out light.
Containers stored for more than six months should be checked for leaks or any other undesirable
conditions that may have developed.
Bottled water (water purchased in a store) does not keep as well as normal tap water. Tap water
contains disinfectants to guard against microbe growth.
Store volume water needs (for flushing toilets, cleaning, etc.) in the bathtub and other large
containers.
Shut Off Water to Your Home
Shut off the water valve at your home’s shut-off valve or at the water meter. The shut-off valve
should be located near the main water line’s entrance to your home. Shutting off the water
prevents potential contaminants from entering your plumbing system in the event water lines are
broken.
When shutting off your home’s water supply, also remember to turn off your hot water heater.
The water heater could be damaged without a steady water supply.
How to Purify Water
Monitor media reports immediately after a storm for boil water advisories affecting GSWSA
customers.