From: "Tom Duck" <duck at trwa.org>
Date: Sat, 20 Sep 2008 12:43:01 -0500
Our work in the affected hurricane disaster area in Texas is winding
down. We are currently transitioning
from emergency re-entry operations into the recovery phase of this disaster.
This means that we want to minimize the emergency deployment of loaned generators
and other system resources, and transition to system self-recovery through
utilization of their own crews and equipment.
I want to thank Florida Rural Water Association, City of Destin Florida,
Walton City Florida, Mauriceville Texas SUD, and North Collin Texas WSC for
their help in providing generators and manpower for our use during the
storm. Also, I want to extend my
appreciation to NRWA for sending Brendan, Bill and Chris to our staging site to
document and report our efforts. Thanks
to all of the other state rural water associations who called to offer
assistance, manpower, generators, prayers and support during this
disaster. I am proud to be a part of
the rural water family who cares about helping people in their time of
need. I think that is what makes our
organization unique. Below is a listing
of the water/wastewater systems we assisted with generators and onsite
technical assistance this past week. In
addition, we made telephone and personal contact with 72 other water/wastewater
systems in the area that were not affected by the storm or experienced minor
damage that did not require our immediately assistance. Most of our work was performed in providing
generators and restoring electrical power.
Several of these systems are still using our generators and others that
were loaned by TRWA, FRWA and our Rural Water Emergency Assistance network of
member systems. FYI, one of our member
systems on Bolivar Peninsula was in the direct path of the storm and EMS crews
on the island report is that it was completed destroyed. We will be providing assistance to them as
we are allowed access.
City of China
D & M WSC
Rusk Rural WSC
Wood Lawn WSC
Woodland Lakes WSC
Windcrest WSC
Tarkington SUD
Slocum WSC
Liberty-Looneyville WSC
City of Groverton
Orange Co. WCID #1
Consolidated Water Supply Corporation
Deweyville/South Newton Water Supply Corporation
Tall Pines Utilities
City of Kirbyville
Raywood WSC
OrangeField WSC
Mauriceville SUD
City of Madisonville
Cougar Co. Water
Sugar Pines
Anderson Water Co
Neches WSC
Deanville WSC
Lyons WSC
Alto Rural WSC
Westwood WSC
Rualston Acres WSC
Northpark WSC
City of Roundale
City of Cushion
Sacul WSC
Park View Community System
Shorewood Forest WS
Watson Lake WSC
From: Patrick Credeur [mailto:pclrwa centurytel.net]
Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 8:01 AM
All teams have completed assessments in all parishes in the state except the two parishes bordering the gulf. All teams will enter these parishes today to begin the process of getting utilities pressurized, flushed, treated and tested for safe potable water. The Fort Payne utilities crew and I entered the two parishes yesterday along with Rusty Reeves of LRWA and Richard Hoffpauir of USDA/RUS. RUS tag along with us yesterday to view the damages. The LRWA staff will deliver generators today to 4 utilities that are out of power and water down in the low lines areas of the parish. Crews will assist utilities in locating meter boxes and valves. Over and above the problems with Hurricane Ike we continue our efforts with the remnants of Hurricane Gustov's problems as well. We have teams providing technical assistance in the lower lines parishes on the east side of the state as well. Power and flooding is and remains to be the biggest problem in La...USDA/RUS is trying to get this state a number of generators to be managed/coordinated by LRWA...RICHARD HOFFPAUIR, COMMUNITY PROGRAMS DIRECTOR for USDA/RUS made a comment to me that Jim Andrus with USDA/RUS WASHINGTON D.C. SAID" IT IS NICE TO SEE A RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION WORKING AS A TEAM AND PARTNER WITH THE RUS
OFFICE". Our efforts with these two hurricanes will continue until power and water is flowing again. More information to follow as they occur. Have a nice day.......
From: "Tom Duck" <Duck at trwa.org>
Subject: Re: City of China - Jefferson County - TX - Wastewater System Damage
Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:56:53 -0500
Just returned from China after doing a damage assessment of their wastewater plant. Met with Mayor Sanders and Ed Burrell,the Operator. We hooked-up the 100kw generator, but the blower on the plant is not responding. We will return to the plant at daybreak tomorrow and review our options. It may be that the sludge from the plant has settled and is now too thick to stir. We will test the system and give you a report tomorrow afternoon.
Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 12:06:35 -0500
Good News! The TRWA wastewater staff returned to the City of China this morning to follow-up on our discussions from last night. They report to me that the wastewater plant is now up and running with the help of TRWA's 100kw generator. It appears that this system may have been damaged by a small tornado during Hurricane Ike which caused extensive damage to the community and utility. As a result, the generator may be in place for a few weeks until power from Entergy is restored.
Tom Duck, Executive Director
From: Tom Duck
Sent: Monday, September 15, 2008 9:04 PM
Below is a status report from the Texas Rural Water Association's
Emergency Assistance Cooperative (RWEAC) as of Monday, September 15, 2008 at
9:00 pm.
TRWA/RWEAC assistance completed - system is functioning with normal electrical service:
D & M WSC
Rusk Rural WSC
Wood Lawn Water
Woodland Lakes WSC
Windcrest WS
Tarkington SUD
Slocum WSC
Systems up and running with generators - assistance may still be needed:
Liberty-Looneyville WSC
City of Groverton
Orange Co. WCID #1
Consolidated Water Supply Corporation
Systems up and running using TRWA, RWEAC and/or FRWA Generators:
Deweyville/South Newton Water Supply Corporation
Tall Pines Utilities
City of Kirbyville
Raywood WSC
OrangeField WSC
Mauriceville SUD
City of Madisonville
Cougar Co. Water
Sugar Pines
Systems that need generators/assistance - we are currently working to assist these systems:
Anderson Water Co - 3 each 50 kw 480/3phase
Neches WSC (possible line power back on 8-15-08)
Deanville WSC - 50 -60 kw 480/3phase
Lyons WSC - 50 kw 240volt/ 3phase
Alto Rural WSC
Westwood WSC - 60 kw
Four Way SUD - 100 kw
Rualston Acres WSC - 25 kw 240 /3phase
Northpark WSC -25 kw
City of Roundale - 2 each 25 kw 240/3phase
City of Cushion
Sacul WSC
Northpark WSC - 2 each 25 kw
Sugar Pines Community System - ww
Park View Community System - 2 each 3 phase/240 , one w, one ww
Shorewood Forest WS - singel phase/240
Watson Lake WSC - 40 kw
Systems needing diesel fuel only - EOC assistance requested:
Westwood WSC
South Newton WSC
Please advise if you have any questions or if we can help you with any referrals for generators or other types of assistance.
Thanks,
Tom Duck, Executive Director
Texas Rural Water Association
Rural Water Emergency Assistance Cooperative (RWEAC)
Cell phone: (512) 294-7507
TRWA office in Austin: (512) 472-8591
Michael Vollmar, Incident Commander for Hurricane Ike
Texas Rural Water Association
Rural Water Emergency Assistance Cooperative (RWEAC)
Cell phone: (512) 965-4233
Satellite phone in the field: (321) 426-3402
TRWA office in Austin: (512) 472-8591
From: Tom Duck
Sent: Monday, September 15, 2008 11:14 AM
Subject: RWEAC Update From Texas Rural Water Association
Below is a status report from the Texas Rural Water Association's Emergency Assistance Cooperative (RWEAC) as of Monday, September 15, 2008 at 11:00 am. These are the public water systems we are currently working with. We continue to get calls from RWEAC members and will respond to their needs as best we can.
Mauriceville MUD - Supplied 1 125kw portable generator for pump station and 1 15kw for emergency operations center
Deweyville/South Newton Water Supply Corporation - Delivering 50 kw portable generator for lift station on Monday, September 15
City of Kirbyville - Supplied 1 60kw portable generator for pump station- 1 100kw generator to be delivered Tuesday, September 16
*City of Madisonville - Delivering 1 250kw portable generator for wastewater plant on Tuesday, September 16
Raywood Water Supply Corporation - Supplied 1 50kw portable generator for pump station (Boiled water notice issued with TRWA's assistance)
Consolidated Water Supply Corporation - Wiring 4 generators provided by FEMA grant program
Slocum Water Supply Corporation - Delivering 1 60kw generator on Monday, September 15
Cougar Country - Supplied 1 25kw portable generator
Sugar Pines Mobile Home Park - Delivering 6200 watt generator on Monday, September 15
*Pending confirmation from Tony
We are currently in discussion with the following systems to confirm their needs and determine a possible response - most are needing generators and/or fuel:
City of Groveton
ity of Elkhart
City of Cushion
Westwood Water Supply Corporation
Deanville Water Supply Corporation
D&M Water Supply Corporation
Orangefield Water Supply Corporation
Rusk Rural Water Supply Corporation
Alto Water Supply Corporation
Neches Water Supply
North Park Water Supply Corporation - 30kw generator (may need help from EOC)
Recognized – Last week
Louisiana Governor Jindal speaking on television recognized the great
work that LRWA and five neighboring state rural water association were doing to
aide communities in crises.
From EPA Region 6 staff (Sat, 6 Sep 2008 20:00), who listed the status of water systems, “so LDEQ and LRWA can provide the needed technical assistance? LRWA is fantastic at finding needed equipment and providing invaluable technical assistance to the facility operators so I will send this information nightly to them so they can possibly assist faster than the State/Fed processes."
AWWA’s
WARN
systems, and EPA’s Hurricane Recommendations.
See
what USDA
is doing for relief.
From: Sam Wade [mailto:nrwasw at nrwa.org]
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 8:44 AM
Louisiana – The LRWA staff and the Fort Payne , Alabama crew will try and move into the lower line parishes of the state. There was a fly-over done yesterday of Cameron and Calcasieu parishes (which border the Gulf) and as far as the eyes could see, there was flood waters. Some asphalt roads were washed away , which will make it difficult to travel along the gulf of mexico. All communities in those parishes are without water or power. We will try to bring in generators today to help out some of the utilities with powering up their water systems.
Texas – TRWA, small utilities keep water running after Hurricane Ike
MAURICEVILLE, Texas. Broken trees and snapped power lines lay over highways and flooded fields. Despite the destruction of Hurricane Ike, the small community of Raywood, Texas still has running water. “That’s the one good thing going on, folks have water,” said Tony Fontenot, President of the Raywood Water Service Corporation. The small, rural utility lost power around 1 p.m. the night Ike made landfall. The water already pumped into the water tower kept the system up pressure for a few hours, but eventually the water ran out. Then the phone calls started. The Raywood office manager, Frankie Espree, called the Texas Rural Water Association and asked for assistance. “She did the smart thing,” Fontenot said. “She’s the glue that holds it all together.” TRWA had a generator from there staging area in Mauriceville on-site and ready eight hours later. “They’re life savers,” said Todd Fontenot, manager of the Raywood utility. “We’re so appreciative of the TRWA.” The Raywood staff, like those other rural systems in east Texas, is no stranger to hurricane damage. Hurricane Rita caused similar damage in 2005. The small system, serving 500 customers, is small compared the damage often seen in media coverage - Houston, Beaumont, Galveston. Still, the Raywood utility is an integral part of the small community. “That’s the one that that holds us together as a community,” Tony Fontenot explained of the utility. The utility began when Fontenot’s father and a few other men dug the first well for the system. “They hammered the pipe into the ground,” he said with a laugh. The utility is small in numbers, but it’s the kind of assistance that is TRWA’s specialty. “This is our bread and butter,” said Tom Duck, executive director of the Texas Rural Water Association. Duck explained that TRWA will rotate generators on systems like Raywood, allowing several systems to fill their water towers and start work on other issues. Ike’s higher winds uprooted trees and blew over buildings, potentially breaking water lines or causing leaks. Portable generators will be the only source of power for some systems because of extensive damage to the power gird. It may take utility crews three weeks or more to restore power to the hardest-hit areas. The plan is designed to allow small utilities, which would be overlooked by relief efforts focused on large population centers, an opportunity to provide service to their communities. “Raywood water is very dear to me,” Todd Fontenot concluded.
From: "Tom Duck" <Duck at trwa.org>
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 08:20:10
Please advise everyone that we sincerely appreciate the numerous offers of staff assistance. I would love to have everyoermine our staffing needs. Right now, power is our top priority. Once power is restored, thenne who called to be here with me right now for support. However, we can only reasonably manage so many people since we are operating in limited space and under very stressful conditions. This is a true test of the strength of our association. Just knowing that so many of you care and are willing to help out is rewarding to our staff. We sincerely thank you.
As we move through the week, we will have better information on what specific help our systems need which will allow us to better det our members will begin to know what other problems their system may have. We will then focus our attention on those issues and make an assessment of the type of staff help we may need from other states.
FYI, the Governor's Office has advised us (and other mutual aid providers) that any expenses for assistance provided from other states (RWEAC and WARN's) will NOT be reimbursed by FEMA or Texas. This may place a limitation on the ability of some states to participate in our relief efforts. I do not understand or agree with this position, but that is what we are dealing with.
Our mission today is damage assessments, determining our power generator needs and getting power restored to as many systems as we can with the resources we have.
From: "Tom Duck" <Duck at trwa.org>
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2008 09:27:02
Our staging area is fully operational and crews are being deployed as access is granted to the hardest hit areas. The TRWA staff has been making contacts with member utilities as part of our damage assessment protocol. Power outages are our biggest problems. We have secured numerous portable generators from our own RWEAC network and will attempt to get as many delivered and set-up today and tomorrow as possible. The FRWA crews are here and will assist in our efforts. It appears that we are finally turning the corner on our assistance efforts.
From: "Tom Duck" <Duck at trwa.org>
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2008 12:24:12
Hurricane Ike slammed into Texas early this morning. Our staff is out conducting damage assessments as we speak. They report that many roads are blocked by debris, power lines, high water and severe flooding. Access is very limited. We will not be able to gain entry to most areas until the water subsides. We expect to work throughout the day responding to those utilities who are on the state EOC priority list for electrical power. Power is out to 4 million residents in the Houston/Galveston/Beaumont area. We expect to have a better idea of our need for assistance later today. Right now, power generation is our primary issue.
The Florida Rural Water Association team has agreed to help us restore power. They should be on the ground in Texas tomorrow as the storm moves north and east. I would appreciate NRWA's help in gathering information from other state rural water associations as to who has a trailer mounted portable generator (50 kw or larger) that they would be willing to loan to TRWA. If called upon for assistance, we would request that the generator be delivered to our staging area in the Beaumont area off of Interstate 10. If you could coordinate this information and pass it along to us, it would be very helpful.
From: "Pat Credeur" <pclrwa at centurytel.net>
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:15:46
Ike has come ashore in Louisiana. According operators in the low line areas, Rita wasn't anything compared to Ike. Areas that didn't get flooded for Rita are under water now by as much as 6 ft.. Weather is still bad here in southwest LA, winds are in excess of __ mph still. Staff and I will meet at the LRWA office tomorrow to prepare to deploy as soon as waters start to recede.
From: "Pat Credeur" <pclrwa at centurytel.net>
Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:07:32
Natural Resources turned loose 73 generators to rural water. Staff and I are locating utilities to deploy generators
From: Lenny Young
To: ED Pat Credeur
Sent: Sep 11, 2008 1:19 PM
Pat: DNR has approximately 73 generators available that have not been deployed. Please email me a list of the number and size generator for which you currently have requests. Also include the information for future use generator request you have received..
Thanks. Lenny
From: Tom Duck [mailto:duck at trwa.org]
Sent: Friday, September 12, 2008 6:13 AM
The Texas Rural Water Emergency Assistance team is in the process of moving its operation center from Houston to Beaumont today in an effort to adjust to the changing path and intensity of the storm. We have portable generators in place and are already responding to requests for member assistance. Our staff will hunker down tonight as the dangerous part of the storm makes landfall. We will be the first water utility organization with "boots on the ground" by daybreak tomorrow morning (Saturday). Our first priority will be to go into the damaged areas to assess what resources our members need. We have already contacted all of our members pre-storm to ascertain any special needs that they may anticipate. This is a major hurricane and our members and staff are preparing for the worst.
From
Dawn with EPA Region 6 (Sat, 6 Sep 2008 20:00)
“The spreadsheet will give the status of the facility and any needs the
facility has so LDEQ and LRWA can provide the needed technical assistance. LRWA is fantastic at finding needed
equipment and providing invaluable technical assistance to the facility
operators so I will send this information nightly to them so they can possibly
assist faster than the State/Fed processes.”
Facility
Name Facility
Status
Mamou
WWTP Operating
Ville
Platte WWTP Operating
Country
Estates Subdivision Operating
Wyble
Area Subdivision STP Operating
Village
of Chataignier STP Operating
St.
Martinville City of WWTP (major) Operating
Parks
Village WWTP (sig. minor) Operating
Breaux
Bridge City of WWTP (major) Not
Operating
St.
Martin Parish Police Jury Sugarland Operating
Armuville
Town of WWTP (sig.minor) Operating
St.
Landry Parrish Sewer Districy #1- Operating
Plaisance
Development Corp. Operating
City
of Opelousas WWTP Operating
Plaisance
- Ko Ko Mo Oxidation Pond Not
Operating
Plaisance
-Broadmore Subdivision STP Operating
Plaisance
- Evangeline Subdivision Operating
Lockport,
Town of, WWTP Operating
Twin
Oaks Service Corp. - Oxidation Pond Operating
Thibodaux,
City of, WWTP Not
Operating
Magnolia
Park - Oxidation Pond Operating
Thibodaux,
City of, WWTP Not
Operating
Terrebonne
Parish North WWTP Not
Operating
Terrebonne
Parish South WWTP Not
Operating
Crozier
Heights Subdivision Not
Operating
Terrebonne
Sewerage Systems LLC Unknown_no
contact
Fri, 5 Sep 2008 15:42 - As a follow up to the Regional Emergency Response efforts, in speaking with Pat in LA today, no additional response teams are being requested at this time as relief. The teams there are continuing to move generators from one system to another. Pat reported 38 individuals divided into teams of two (19 teams) assisting 15 parishes today. He indicated minimum structural damage but significant power outages continue. The Regional Response Teams that I spoke with today are planning to stay through the weekend to continue their assistance.
Kathy Horne
Executive Director
Alabama Rural Water Association
System
update 09/03/08 8:00am .update
Liberty: has power back on
Oakland W/A: Could not find anyone at system
*Buffalo: Mema confirmed bringing them a generator on 09/03/08
*Crosby: Generator is in route this morning, also have generator in route to Cols W/A who buys water from Crosby but needs generator for buster station
Bogue Chitto W/A: Talked to them and they said they expected power late this afternoon or in the morning.
Reedtown W/A: Generator delivered yesterday
Meadville; they are to pick generator up at Msrwa office this morning
McNair Stampley W/A: Has power back on
Old River: Has water, running on generator, may need fuel
Woodville: Mema delivering generator this morning
Roxie: Generator delivered to them yesterday
Centreville: May need Diesel, put them in contact with EOC who can authorize them to get fuel
Adams County W/A: Up and running on generators, may need fuel in a couple of days, will let us know or contact his EOC
Fayette: has power back on
System update 09/03/08 HURRICANE GUSTAV LOUISIANA UPDATE – From our Louisiana Rural Water family, the storm has moved inland. Some of the rural communities on the gulf coast got hit with cat 3 winds in excess of 115 mph. The eye of the storm will be coming over me in about 2 hrs. Louisiana Rural Water Association (LRWA) and LaWarn have been on constant communications with the Gov's office of Emergency Preparedness and the Health Dept. If you could let all rural water associations across the country know that once we know what is needed I will put out the call. Don't know were we will be deployed to. I did tell our state primacy that I don’t want to wait for them too long. We got word that the elevated tower in Scheiver near the gulf coast has fallen. Other water and wastewater systems or out of power in the low-lying areas. Just had a briefing from the Governor. First thing in the morning is search and rescue, next is removing debris from roadways, then getting utilities back up and running. LRWA was mentioned along with the Dept of Health as being the resources to get utilities up and running. I'm now at the Governors Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness in Baton Rouge. We will be giving the go ahead in the next 12 to 24 hours. Thanks for getting this info out. Thank God it is finally ending in south LA. Will report tomorrow a.m. after briefing. Thanks Pat C. SOURCE – Pat Credeur LRWA Executive Director and LaWARN Co-Chair from BlackBerry by Cingular Wireless
System update 09/03/08 MISSISSIPPI UPDATE – Just to update you on the status in MS. We took a brush from the storm, the coast seems to have faired well. I talked to Buddy Zimmerman with Bay St. Louis yesterday and he said that everything seemed to be fine but he would know more this morning. The same was with Waveland. However, it seems that the southwest part of the state is having problems with power outages. I have the staff contacting everybody they can by phone this morning and the ones we cannot contact we may have to send someone down to check on them. We should know more by mid morning, but as for now it appears that all that we will need is some generators to get these systems back up. SOURCE – MRWA Executive Director Kirby Mayfield
Rural
Water testimony before House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee
Appendix
(assessments in AL) (.pdf
or .doc)
Appendix
(assessments in LA) (.pdf
or .doc)
Appendix
(assessments in MS) (.pdf
or .doc)
The
EPA Region 6 assessment continues defining the
problems LA – here is there latest database.
Texas
Rural Water Association Update (Contact: (512) 472-8591, Tom Duck duck at trwa.org)
TRWA has activated their Emergency Response Plan in an effort to
assist our members in the wake of hurricane Rita. We are coordinating our efforts with the TCEQ, RD and other state
and federal agencies. Our goal is to
get TRWA field staff into the impacted areas as quickly as possible after the
hurricane is over and the first responders allow utility crews access. The TRWA staff will coordinator reports,
coordinate supplies, equipment, inventory control, coordinator with TCEQ, EPA
and Health Department laboratories, RD, FEMA and Governor's Office of Emergency
Preparedness, coordinator with TRWA Field Staff - On-site damage, assessment,
water samples, work assignments, media, etc.
TRWA staff is currently being staged in different locations along the
Texas Gulf Coast. All staff is being
equipped with food, supplies, tools and necessary protective gear. We will work in teams of 2 with relief crews
ready for backup. All of our members
along the Gulf Coast have been contacted in advance of the storm and been instructed
on how to contact us if they need assistance.
Our ERP management staff have gathered at our headquarters in Austin and
we will be fully operational within the next 24 hours. TRWA recently purchased a 100kW generator
that is mounted on a truck and is self-contained with extra fuel tanks,
couplings, tools, etc.
Arkansas Rural Water Association Update (Contact: Dennis
Sternberg,
501-676-2255, arwads at arkansas.net)
ARWA is sending us the list of the 50 utilities that have signed
mutual aid agreements within the state.
These utilities have agreed to help and ARWA will be calling them to see
what resources (generators, backhoes, chlorinators, etc.) they have to lend to
systems in Arkansas and is compiling a emergency database. ARWA is also contacting all the systems on
the southern border of the state to ensure they know ARWA is the point of
contact for needs and updates on status as the hurricane comes. ARWA’s database will include (the often hard
to find in a crisis) cell phone numbers and two-way radio numbers for those
systems. ARWA plans to be able to
immediately assess the needs of the utilities in Arkansas and deploy ARWA field
staff and mutual aid utilities to communities impacted.
Alabama Update (Contact:
Kathy Horne, 334) 396-5511, arwa at alruralwater.com)
See Katrina Response below
Florida Update (Contact:
Gary William, gary at frwa.net, 850 668 2746)
Florida and FlaWarn are
trying to determine if we can help a state as far away as Texas, if
requested. This probably is a two-step
process 1. Does TX ask for help of
Florida and will Governor approve an EMAC arrangement, request mission number
and enable a response effort? Second,
will Florida utilities agree to go, once all administrative details are
confirmed, if they are asked? A likely
yes is expected to question 2. FRWA
will assist TRWA directly, if asked.
We have cleared all Florida systems as not needing response or
assistance related to Rita brushing Florida as of today. So we can assist elsewhere without
continuing response concern in Florida, at this point. If other storms
threaten, first responsibility is to Florida systems.
Mississippi Update
(Contact: Pete Boone, 601-857-2433, msrwa at netdoor.com)
See Katrina Response below
Oklahoma Update (Contact: Gene Whatley,
Expecting 6-12 inches of rain.
Some systems could be flooded and without pressure or power. Relying on FEMA and state DEQ for
assessments.
Louisiana Update (Pat Creduer, LaRWA at centurytel.net,
800-256-2591)
See Katrina Response below
(Various News) Hurricane Rita now a Category 5 storm with
powerful winds that are stronger than those of Hurricane Katrina, refineries
along the Texas coast are bracing for a hard hit. At least eight refineries along the Texas coast were likely to
shut down soon, and several were already scaling back operations
yesterday. Depending on Rita's path,
nearly 20 percent of U.S. refining capacity could be offline by this weekend. At a minimum, refineries will be off line
for several days as it takes nearly two days to bring a fully shut-down
refinery back into normal production.
More than 160 plants in Texas are in the potential path of Hurricane
Rita. Most chemical plants were in the
process of
shutting down yesterday in preparation for the hurricane.
Inside
EPA article with good assessment of various responses to Katrina for water
supplies.
9/19/05
Louisiana Rural Water “peeled” off from the
EPA Region 6 assessment (one week ago).
All rural water field staff have stopped with EPA’s assessment and are
now concentrating on assistance and field work (technical assistance). Currently there at 18 rural water teams in
the filed from TN, AR, OK, KY, GA, and TX that are focusing on leaks,
pressuring up systems, disinfection, wells, etc. There is need for additional equipment like generators that have
not been staged anywhere (rural water has requested generators, fuel,
chlorinators, satellite phones, bulk tank, disinfection treatment parts, etc.
from federal authorities) – all have been slow in coming. LRWA reports, they are maintaining a good
relationship with EPA after peeling off to conduct independent assessments and
assistance. Rural Water efforts reports
assessing immediate needs by contacting Parrish health agencies for triage –
and contacting all member systems in impacted areas. Rural water has been delivering daily bulk potable water to
communities using poly tanks (i.e. Fulker Chapel, Bayou Liberty, Regalese,
etc.). LRWA reports that customers were
begging for water last week.
Reports from LA last week indicate that:
·
EPA assessments had not yet resulted in distribution of
desperately needed resources.
·
As of last Thursday, the EPA had not been able to report results
of samples taken over a week ago. The
results of sampling typically take 24 hours – however the state labs had been
able to report results so water supplies could be attended to, where sampling
indicated a need for further disinfection assitance.
·
EPA data processing also took a week to turn around on initial
assessments and three days and counting for next iteration of data processing
to see results of assessments.
·
Some systems don’t want to allow EPA into their communities.
·
EPA staff is learning about how water supplies operate as they
do assessments.
·
Most larger communities have been able to restore their water by
themselves.
·
Smaller communities still see damage from power out, broken treatment,
broken wellheads, water damaged, debris, etc.
·
Assessments teams were spending a lot of time doing field visits
to places never impacted. One example, one team spent half a day (including 2
hours of driving time) to check on a system that was not impacted and is not
used for drinking water supply (only for processing). The system could have
been called to see if they had problems or an assessment of electric outages
areas would have shown they were not impacted. Some assessments are conducted
70 miles west of New Orleans.
·
EPA staff have been frustrated because the assessments are not
resulting in actual assistance or resources being provided to severely impacted
communities.
9/13/2005
Reports from Region 6 Louisiana - assessments on 476 water
systems
9/12/2005
Reports from Louisiana indicate the EPA Region 6 Assessment stopped at
12:00 on Friday for the weekend. Last week
EPA reported that “approximately
378 drinking water systems that are not in operation in LA.” EPA has not reported providing any
assistance to water supplies (only reporting on their condition and not
conducting any triage in the assessment) in the EPA database
Mississippi
reports dozens of incidence of technical assistance in hard hit coastal
counties last week and through the weekend.
One technical field person reported the following when asked what is
common technical assistance needed in damaged communities:
“Much more complicated [than just
generators]. Electrical components
cleaned and replaced, control panels rebuilt, electric motors and pumps
replaced or rebuilt, by-pass pumps installed, generators wired direct, lift
stations cleaned with vacuumed or jet cleaned, leaks located and repaired with
backhoes brought out from Florida, valves located and closed/opened or valves
inserted to isolate areas of system, lift station rebuilt, wastewater plants
made to work with baling wire, rubber bands, bubble gum or anything laying
around. For example, wire is needed to
bypass missing electrical controls so crews go into rubble of destroyed house
and pull out wire to rewire water and wastewater plants. Think in terms of 50 McGuyvers doing
whatever it takes to get water to folks and stop wastewater in the streets, in
the Gulf, etc. At one plants Florida
crews walked around the destroyed warehouse/supply building to find circuit
boards, fuses, whatever they needed and could find to get plant online. They even took circuit boards found and
cleaned-up best they could so they could be used. These are master electricians, instrument techs, and top
professionals in there areas.
Last week, EPA reported moving an
additional 30 EPA office workers to Louisiana to assist water supplies.
On Thursday, the EPA, DHS and WaterISAC
reported, “it is clear that federal, state and local agencies are still in the
damage assessment phase of operations.”
Alabama field reports indicate that
Alabama has been well on its way to recovery for a week. Alabama Rural Water has already starting documenting the
completion of the initial response in Alabama and sending staff to other
states. Mississippi is recovering
rapidly including the three coastal counties.
Additionally much of this progress has been through the sharing of
technical expertise and resources among the regional water utilities. Arkansas Rural Water moved into Mississippi
last week, and Texas Rural Water (TRWA) reports that they sent a group of
circuit riders and other staff to assist in Louisiana. They report back the need for common hand
tools (power tools do not work without power) testing equipment, gloves, wading
boots, extra fuel tanks, insect repellent, batteries and power generators. TRWA has purchased one 100kW truck mounted
power generator and one trailer mounted 100kW generator.
Also EPA, DHS and WaterISAC stated that,
“currently it is too early to determine exactly what supplies, equipment and
expertise are needed.”
Florida Rural Water and the Florida relief
effort have been in Mississippi for over a week. He is some of the volunteers from FL in MS: Jacksonville Electric
Authority, Gainesville Regional Utilities, City of Stuart, Toho Utilities
(Kissimmee), Orange County water and wastewater divisions, City of Atlantic
Beach, Destin Water Users, South Walton Utilities, Escambia County Utilities
Authority, Tampa Bay Water, Orlando Utility Commission, City of Winter Park,
City of St Cloud, LJ Ruffin and Company.
Many others are in route or being asked to wait for few days as
replacement crews. Okaloosa County,
City of Tallahassee, and a few others from the Fl Panhandle are coming out
Monday--tomorrow. This the delegation
that has provided the technical assistance described above.
9/9/2005 10:38 AM
Mississippi Rural
Water Reports that progress is being made in “moving forward” in coastal
counties. Their emergency response
operation is in the three coastal counties with resources, generators, and
personnel. Arkansas Rural Water has
moved into the non-coastal impacted counties to assist with leak repair. Water
is restored in these counties but utilities are having a difficult time
repairing leaks and keeping the pressure adequate. In the coastal counties: Moss Pointe had water restored and was
due to have their wastewater restored any minute (5 Florida volunteers were
assisting). Crews were moving to
Gautier on Friday to assist with wastewater service restoration. Crews were also moving to assist Gulf
Pointe, which had water service but needed waste water service. Long Beach was reported to have restored service
without assistance. Harrison County
Waste Water’s lift stations were back in service yesterday. Florida has a delegation in the coastal
counties that includes 25 utilities, Florida Rural Water and others that we
will list shortly. Florida crews were
heading to Pass Christian to assist with leaks and lift stations. Bay St. Louis had water service working and
crews were working on restoring lift stations.
Waveland’s water was in service and in the process of assessing lift
stations – federal authorities are considering placing 300 mobile homes in this
area and need emergency water line developed to service these homes. Hancock Regional Waste Water waiting on
generator from U.S. Army Corps (or FEMA).
Numerous reports of generators, for wastewater restoration, not yet
delivered to communities from federal authorities. Hancock County Water/Sewer also waiting for a generator from
federal authorities (and suction pump), however their water service is
restored. Kiln has water service. Diamond Head has water and was to have sewer
by today. Florida crews have been assisting in Bay St. Louis, Diamond Head, and
Waveland.
In Louisiana reports indicate EPA operation
is still assessing all systems on-site with the focus on clearing boil water
alerts. All state resources are being
organized by EPA and directed toward this assessment. According to EPA,
“138 drinking
water assessments as of Sept 7 (of 684)..
On Thursday, personnel in 28 teams visited 82 drinking water systems.
The data will be entered tomorrow and updated.
The data has not been cross checked with LADHH official remove boil
water updates. If a discrepance exists it in this sheet and LADHH's list of
systems on boil water notices, LADHH's is correct. LADHH is the only Agency removing boil water notices. The data is as collected. Where we know of discrepancies we are
checking with LADHH and the individuals who did the survey. As the process moves forward and the teams
become more experienced these discrepancies will diminish.”
It appears EPA is about 20% completed with
assessment after 4 days – with main focus of mission is to clear boil water
notices. According to EPA’s database of
the first 138 field
assessments: many were fine and did not experience any water quaintly
problems, many need generators, many systems not in operation and could not
provide EPA with requested samples, many need technical assistance, etc. (see
last data field). It is unclear what
the assessment will be used for other than clearing boil water orders. Do date, where are not aware of any
technical assistance provided by the operation short of sampling - nor is any
reported in the assessment database (perhaps this will be a part of the
operation after assessment is completed – which we will inquiry to EPA). A very rough estimate indicate EPA can
complete 40 assessments each day – however there is only three days to
evaluate. EPA reports that they are
moving an additional 30 EPA staff into Louisiana to assist in the
reporting. In Louisiana, crews
organized by EPA typically meet every morning until approximately 11:00 at
command center and then are dispatched to the field to make on-site contacts to
fill-out forms (assessments) and report back to command center with completed
forms to be imputed into EPA data base by 5:00 pm. The objective is to blanket the state with completion of
assessment starting with least impacted areas.
According to EPA, as of Thursday, they had about 20% of the system
assessed. From the last field in the
database, it is obvious many systems are in great need of immediate resources
and immediate technical assistance.
One community (Bayou
Liberty Water Association) reported yesterday that were not able to receive
a emergency generator for the past 10 days however they don’t need it currently
because power is being restored to their utility. Lack of power caused their water service to stop for 4 days. What they currently need is manpower to fix
leaks, relief for operators, technical assistance on sustaining pressure, and
removal fallen trees and debris (backhoe) that are making it difficult for the
community to maintain pressure. They
are receiving fuel to power some wells from local parish maintenance crew. They explained to the emergency response
assessment that they can’t submit water samples because they won’t pass because
they can’t sustain pressure – and that the lifting of the boil notice is not
the community’s priority concern at the moment.
9/7/2005 12:10 PM
Summary of three
states:
·
Alabama: All but two communities (see below)
in good shape (data).
·
Mississippi:
Non-coastal counties progressing (see below) - limited assessment in coastal counties
(data),
however significant resources in area.
·
Louisiana: limited
assessment available (data).
Mississippi Rural Water
(MRWA) reports 60-75 technical staff (including MS, AL, and FL rural water) and
volunteers (also including MS, FL, and AL) have moved into three most impacted
coastal counties with an estimated 60 generators. Reporting wide degree of needs; from completely destroyed systems
– to systems with most lift stations inoperable – to some with restored water
supply. We have not seen a
comprehensive assessment of coastal counties, but have reports of MRWA teams
assisting in many systems including: Hancock, Moss Pointe, Diamond Head, and
Bay St. Louis.
Louisiana reports
that EPA and field teams have been meeting all morning to go over today’s
efforts (11:00 am, Wed.) and EPA has indicated an additional 30 EPA personal
are moving into state to assist with blanket assessments. We are trying to determine the plans for
providing assistance, generators, and/or resources as a result of assessments –
and determine any staging area to collect and deploy generators.
Alabama Rural
Water (ARWA) reports all utilities except two have been restored (with the
caveat there could be isolated systems that have not been assessed). This assessment from
earlier in the week is still largely current.
As reported below, Bayou La Batre and Dauphin Island near Mobile
received significant structural damage.
Both have limited service from generated power. Some portion of service area is
unserviceable (destroyed). Leaks have
been a constant concern in stabilizing the water supplies in each system. Local operators have been working round the
clock, some living with their families in tents. Rural water staff have been assisting in reliving these local
operators, finding leaks, monitoring wells, fueling generators, etc. A large ship was pushed through a major line
in Bayou La Batre causing significant damage.
Both communities had been on boil water alerts, however we are not
current on their status for boil alerts.
ARWA has 12-14 staff and generators in
Mississippi and possibly transporting 100kW generator to Bayou Liberty Rural
Water.
9/6/2005 11:13 PM
Mississippi Rural
Water (MRWA) has complied this database of
communities and their status. As
indicated the database lists available resources (namely power generators and
circuit rider on-site assistance) available and which communities are in need
and which communities are using resources.
MRWA reports significant progress in restoring pressure to numerous
water supplies south of I-20. Water
supplies in the three counties (Hancock, Jackson, and Harrison) most
severely impacted are still assumed
to be largely non-functioning, however we have not received any detailed
assessment of this assumption. MRWA
reports that civic personal infrastructure is often not available in these
counties. Of the water supplies
impacted, but not in the mentioned three counties, MRWA approximately 95% of
the approximately 416 water supplies have pressure – and MRWA is starting to
change their focus to assisting in the restoration of waste water service (for
example, Moss
Point Waste Water is reported to have loss power in 58 of their 60 lift
stations and in need of assistance).
MRWA reports that once power is restored they are able to move power
generators to new communities. MRWA is
transitioning to a new staging ground located at Perry Central High School near
New Augusta. MRWA has over 30
generators distributed in the field and moving them ever further south as power
restoration is moving south. Field
reports indicate confusion with assistance from FEMA and state agencies. Most impacted utilities are under boil water
alerts. Most water supplies were able
to restore pressure with internal resources.
It appears volunteers from Florida Rural Water and Alabama Rural Water
have concentrated their assistance in Mississippi.
Reports from Louisiana indicate EPA Region 6 is overseeing a joint operation of
state DHH personal, other state primacy staff, USDA, rural water, etc. It appears this operation is blanketing the
state with on-site contacts to all water supplies (regardless if they lost
pressure or reporting no contamination of wells) to gauge status of water
service (see assessment
form which needs to be approved by a state agency or EPA personal). The operation has started in the least
impacted areas of the state and moving to the more impacted as each community
is contacted on site. The operation is
relying on this state
assessment. However, further
reporting is showing most communities that were assumed to have loss pressure
on this list did not. For example, on
Tuesday (9/6/05) the operation conducted 49 site visits to water
systems with the following results (code key):
·
of the 37 CWS visited by 14 two man teams 4 were inoperable;
OK-8, NEED-13, GenOK-8, INOP-4, GenLP-2, clear-2
·
of the 22 NTNCWS visited; out-6, INOP-7, NEED-3, GenLP-5,
GenOK-1.
One field team reports that most of the
communities they assessed, today, were able to pass the assessment and provide
bacteriological samples for testing (because they had not lost power).
State sanitarians are also pulling
bacteriological samples from systems able to provide samples. One utility (Bayou
Liberty Water Association) was not able to provide samples to state agency
personal because they were in need of 3 small generators – and had only one
operator and two local volunteers trying to recover the 6,000 tap utility from
serious damage.
In addition to the statewide plan to assess
the need to retain boil water orders; ad-hoc reports have indicated assistance
is being provided to communities. For
example in Livingston Parrish, LRWA Circuit Rider found much of the parish’s
utilities without energy immediately following the hurricane. After coordinating with local officials
including fire officials and parish emergency offices to target the most
severely impacted utilities, the circuit rider was able to communicate with
those operators via Nex-Tel (all phone communication were lost). Unable to procure water bladders from FEMA
or emergency organizations, he was able to find approximately 20 water storage
tanks and a colleague with a flatbed tow truck and started delivering the
filled large potable water storage containers to at least seven communities
(Port Vincent, Paradise Ponte Island, Springfield, Head of Island, Killian,
Bayview, and Vincent Acres). Working
round the clock to keep the containers filled (ten hour supply), the pressure
in the water systems was maintained.
The tow-truck operator was able to lift the main container on the truck
high enough to create a siphon to fill the container left on site.
09/04/2005 9:56 PM
Louisiana Rural Water
reports the following groups met today to plan aid communities experiences loss
of water pressure (energy loss); state health department, EPA Region 6, and
USDA regional staff. Staging at a
command post in the Town of Livingston the will assemble 30 teams to assist
communities with disinfection, flushing, power, sampling, etc.
(09/04/2005 11:31 AM)
Louisiana Rural
Water reports the last assessment from their state agency. For those systems shown to have been
restored on 8/30/05, a message requesting confirmation by regional staff has
been left on appropriate voicemail.
Total Population Served = 1,553,373
Yes* = assuming systems lost pressure
Total Number of Systems assumed to have lost
pressure = 385
(09/04/2005 11:31 AM)
Florida Rural
Water reports that Gainesville Regional Utilities, City of Stuart, and Toho
Utility (larger systems just outside Orlando/Kissimmee) started for MRWA office
Saturday and should have arrived late in that afternoon and are prepared to
travel to southern LA upon request from LRWA.
They will base out of Jackson, MS.
This delegation from Florida is bringing generators, fuel buffalos,
electricians, maintenance crews, water treatment and water distribution
operators and line installations crews, backhoes, pipe, fittings, other
treatment supplies. Also, an aid truck
with other parts, food, etc. is also coming out stocked from FSAWWA Mac
council. Mount Pleasant, SC, and other
utilities from Carolinas are also coming.
These systems will stay until work is done, or replacements from their
utilities or others arrive. FRWA will bring
out as many experienced FRWA staff as needed after those needs are determined
and will rotate staff, as needed and has already sent out 2 large generators to
MRWA. Staging area is MRWA office where systems will meet to be
deployed to damaged utilities. Crews go
to Pasgolua, Gulfport, Biolxi, Laurel, Hattesburg as they have asked for help,
made request to Fl EOC. Crews will work
to restore water service before turning to Wastewater side. Additional Florida systems arriving Tuesday
include--Jacksonville Electric Authority (8 fully experienced crews fully
equipped), City of St Petersburg, City of Ft Lauderdale, Orange County-Orlando,
Orlando Utilities Commission, Tampa Bay Water, Charlotte Harbor Water
Association, South Walton Utilities, Destin Water users, Escambia County
Utilities, City of Atlantic Beach, Palm Coast, City of Tallahassee, City of
Winter Park, Cocoa Beach, Port St. Lucie, Martin County, Seacoast Utilities
(Palm Beach area).
(9/3/2005 10:38 PM)
From Alabama Rural Water Association an example of reestablishing a water supply - Bayou La Batre was
back in operation yesterday by generator.
However, during the night we experienced main-line breaks which caused
the tanks to begin dropping. The community
was already under a boil water alert.
ARWA sent additional generators and manpower today. Also the community’s activated sludge plant
with eight lift stations needs to be brought back into operations as soon as
the water situation is under control.
(9/3/2005 10:38 PM)
Two crews from Alabama Rural Water Association have arrived in
Mississippi and delivering generators to systems south of Jackson,
Mississippi. Yesterday, ARWA provided a
generator to Perry County, Mississippi.
ARWA has three crews (approximately 12 people) with generators and fuel
ready to assist next week. Louisiana Rural Water Association reports they now have access to some
parishes.
(9/2/2005 10:38 PM)
Louisiana Rural Water Association reports
434 water systems affected by hurricane Katrina (a population of 1,553,373
people). Of the 434 systems 383 systems have lost pressure (no electricity).
(9/2/2005 5:08 PM)
Alabama Rural Water Association has
technicians in Bayou La Batre and Dauphin Island near Mobile. Four systems remain on boil water (Bayou La
Batre, Dauphin Island, MCB Water System and Mt. Vernon.) and other systems are
operating by generators. Mississippi
has been able to get a commitment for additional fuel supplies. Alabama is sending two crews (4 people each)
plus generators and fuel to Mississippi.
Alabama Rural Water has another crew of 8 plus generators and fuel ready
to move to Mississippi
(9/2/2005 1:08 PM)
Mississippi Rural Water Association reports
that they are in need of large generators for water supplies - and encourage
anyone with large generators to call the MRWA office to be paired with a
community in need. They have a list
communities needing assistance (this list
has been updated however their internet access is still down)
(9/2/2005 10:38 AM)
Louisiana Rural Water Association (LRWA) is
assisting the state in assessing and providing assistance to all of the water
supplies reporting loss of pressure. It
appears the triage is assessing which supplies are recoverable and their
immediacy. This is the state’s list of community water supplies (CWS) reporting
loss of pressure (it does not include the smaller public water supplies
(PWS) in the proximity which are taking a lower priority and could be in the
range of 2,000 PWSs). LRWA is
organizing a staging ground in the Town of Livingston just outside the impacted
area. Also, LRWA has a coordinated list
of available generators, technical, disinfecting chemicals, and functioning
laboratories (including portable testing labs) for microbial testing. LRWA is working with the state to reduce any
testing delays and waiting periods necessary to disinfect drinking water
supplies before they can be returned to public operation. It is likely they will continue boil orders
after disinfection and pressure is restored.
(9/1/2005 5:08 PM)
Mississippi Rural
Water Association is assessing all of the water supplies in the state in order
to coordinate the transport of needed generators and assistance to impacted
water utilities. This appears to be
the most current assessment. This
document is scanned because MRWA’s internet access is down.
(9/1/2005 2:14 PM)
Mississippi Rural Water
Association (MRWA) reports that as many as 900 water utilities have lost power
and operations. MRWA has been in
contact with approximately 140 of the utilities (and estimates contacting as
many as 100 per day in the coming days).
MRWA is coordinating the effort to provide generators and technical
personal to the impacted utilities from utilities in northern
(9/1/2005 1:24 PM)
Florida Rural Water Associations (FRWA)
reports that they have 21 larger utilities organized with technical personal,
expert emergency responders, 40 generators, parts, electricians, generator
repair experts, fuel trucks, etc. ready to move into the staging ground in
Mississippi. These coordinated 21
utilities are waiting for a “Mission Number” before dispatching. This mission number allows their costs (in-kind
contributions to impacted utilizes) to be reimbursed by FEMA. We are requesting assistance in securing a
mission number from FEMA.
(9/1/2005 1:08 PM)
Alabama Rural Water
Association (ARWA) reports that approximately 25-30 water utilities were
without power (and operations). ARWA
was in immediate contact with each of the utilities and have coordinated the
delivery of generators (including very large capacity genitors) and technical
personal to all of the impacted utilities from other utilities in the state
whose power and operations were not impacted.
ARWA reports that power and operations have been restored in all the
impacted utilities. This spreadsheet
lists all the impacted water supplies in
(9/1/2005 1:00 PM)
All rural water associations report
shortages of fuel for transport and diesel fuel for generators. However, all states have indicated the
shortages have not limited their ability to respond.
