MnWARN - Utilities Helping Utilities

Joint Policy Statement on Mutual Aid & Assistance Networks

The water sector is committed to a “Utilities Helping Utilities” concept and is taking steps to encourage utilities and local/state governments to establish intrastate mutual aid and assistance networks. The purpose of these networks is to provide a method whereby water, wastewater, and storm water utilities that have sustained damages from natural or man-made events could obtain emergency assistance in the form of personnel, equipment, materials, and other associated services as necessary, from other water/wastewater utilities. The objective is to provide  rapid, short-term deployment of emergency services to restore the critical operations of the affected water/wastewater utility.

A pre-established agreement among a network of utilities can complement and enhance local capabilities to prepare for and respond to a broad range of threats, both natural and man-made. The establishment of such intrastate mutual aid and assistance networks is a core principle of the National Preparedness Goal developed by the Department of Homeland Security.

Formalizing the existing capability to provide mutual aid and assistance provides the water/wastewater sector with a degree of resiliency against natural or man-made disasters to ensure continuity of service to our sector’s customers.

It is essential that all partners in the water and wastewater community work together to support this concept. We encourage our members to discuss this concept with peers and take the steps necessary to establish an intrastate mutual aid and assistance network.

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