Code of Maine Rules
10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL
Chapter 231 - RULES RELATING TO DRINKING WATER
Section 144-231-11 - EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANS AND NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES FOR PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS

Universal Citation: 10 ME Code Rules ยง 144-231-11

Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024

Title IV of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Response Act of 2002 (Bioterrorism Act), which amends the Safe Drinking Water Act, requires all public water systems serving more than 3,300 persons to complete Vulnerability Assessments and develop or revise Emergency Response Plans.

All public water systems in Maine should prepare and implement or update existing emergency and security plans to include foreseeable and unforeseeable disturbance relating to production and supply of safe drinking water.

A. Emergency and Security Planning

1. Emergency situations include, but are not limited to the following situations:
a. A failure or significant interruption in the production of drinking water;

b. A natural disaster that disrupts the water supply;

c. A chemical spill or biological substance introduced into the water source, that increases the potential for contamination;

d. The failure of cross connections;

e. Intentional physical intrusions of the water system;

f. Any other activity that disturbs the production and supply of safe drinking water.

2. All public water systems serving a population of more than 3,300 persons in Maine that are required to prepare and implement or update an existing emergency response plan (ERP) must make the plan available for inspection by Department staff upon request.

3. The ERP shall include, but not by way of limitation, the following information to be utilized in the event of a terrorist or other intentional act perpetrated against the public water system:
a. Actions, plans, procedures and equipment to be utilized to lessen the impact of the intentional act;

a. Emergency contact information;

b. Any other information deemed necessary to deal with the emergency.

B. Security Breaches and Emergency Notification Requirements

1. All public water systems reporting security breaches, tampering events or other emergencies affecting water system components to law enforcement must report the incidents to the Department.

2. All Public Utilities Commission (PUC)-regulated water systems reporting security-related incidents to law enforcement agencies must report such incidents to both the Department and the PUC.

3. All public water systems experiencing emergency events involving biological or chemical contamination of water system components must report said events to the Department.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Maine may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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