2014 Issue

39 J ORDAN VALLEY WATER Conser- vancy District (JVWCD) prepares for disaster response through all-haz- ards planning. However, studies have shown that a strong earthquake along the Wasatch Front would be the most severe disaster requiring response planning and preparations. The following are elements of JVWCD’s disaster response planning program. Emergency Response Plan JVWCD created its first formal emergency response plan in 2000. A complete update of the plan has been prepared during 2011- 2012. The overall effort includes individual plans for specific disasters and hazards, and includes a continuity of operations plan. During 2011-2012 JVWCD conducted a near-full scale exercise among its own staff. This was followed by a comprehensive exer- cise with its 17 member cities and districts. Communications Equipment JVWCD has identified communications among its employees and with its member cities and districts to be a critical link. Cur- rently, the radio frequencies of JVWCD and its member agencies all differ. JVWCD has performed a study that identified commu- nications equipment necessary to allow it to have battery-operated radios in the field for its operating staff, and common com- munication frequencies and equipment for communication with its member agencies. Pre-Disaster Mitigation of Structures JVWCD has studied the predicted effects of a strong earthquake, and its impacts on critical water supply structures. These stud- ies have identified a service level desired for each category of structure as a result of the earthquake. To accomplish this, JVWCD has instituted a program of fortifying and rehabilitating its structures to achieve a service level of on-going operation follow- ing a severe earthquake. Critical structures include water treatment plants, emergency operations center, finished water distribu- tion andmaintenance buildings, well pump stations, booster pump stations, and critical storage reservoirs. JVWCD has applied for pre-disaster mitiga- tion grant funds through FEMA for its most critical structures, and successfully received rehabilitation grants totaling $5.8 million. These grant funds, together with JVWCD’s capital funds, have been used to rehabilitate the Jordan Valley Water Treatment Plant, the largest treatment plant in Utah with a capacity of 180 million gallons per day, its emergency operations center in West Jordan, and its distribution/maintenance buildings in West Jordan. Standby Electric Power JVWCD has established an operational service level to be achieved following a severe earthquake. This standard provides for partial in-home potable water use, and no water use for outside landscaping. JVWCD assumes that the electric power service grid will be out of operation fol- lowing a severe earthquake or many other natural disasters. The plan of JVWCD is to install engine-driven generator sets, and in some cases engine-driven pumps, to pro- vide these minimal service-level flows. To date, JVWCD has installed four major fixed generators sets, one fixed engine-driven pump, and has purchased three 500-kilo- watt portable generator sets with trucks to move them where needed. JVWCD is cur- rently modifying the electric power service cabinets at its critical pumping stations and water treatment plants to provide for quick connection by mobile generator sets. Spare Parts – Large Diameter Pipelines An important part of JVWCD’s disaster re- sponse planning is the ability tomake quick repairs to large diameter pipelines. Studies have predicted the severing of major aq- ueduct pipelines (with 6-10 feet diameters) and transmission pipelines (with 2-4 feet diameters) in numerous locations. Pipeline segments of various diameters and materi- als have been identified, and will soon be purchased and stockpiled in a weatherproof location for making these repairs. Critical Contractors Priority Contracts Similar to the foregoing plan, JVWCD’s plan is to respond quickly to severed pipelines and damaged caused in pumping stations. JVWCD is preparing to receive proposals and negotiate priority stand-by contracts with critical contractors to perform this work. These contracts will be negotiated with at least one excavation equipment/pipeline contractor and at least one welding special- ties contractor. Mutual Assistance Agreement (WARN) JVWCD has joined the Utah WARN group. This group provides mutual assistance agreements with pre-arranged and uniform methods of accounting for time and equip- ment, for future reimbursement. Emergency Reserve Fund JVWCD has established a fund for emer- gency response during the first weeks, and up to the first three months, following a major natural disaster. The fund has a bal- ance of $2.5million. JVWCD staff and board have recently discussed this fund, and the board has approved increasing its balance to $5.0 million. Insurance Part of JVWCD’s strategy for funding improvements following a major natural disaster in addition to cash in its emergency reserve fund, is a suite of insurance policies. Currently JVWCD’s above-ground buildings are insured for casualty damage, including earthquake damage. JVWCD has begun to add earthquake insurance to its major aqueduct pipelines. During 2014 JVWCD will study the feasibility of insuring its trans- mission pipelines in the event of earthquake damage. Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District – Disaster Response Planning By Richard Bay, Exec. Director and Staff, JVWCD