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The Water Quality
Control Division has prepared the following suggested guidelines and
recommendations regarding the safety of drinking water and the proper
disposal of wastewater at a designated emergency shelter:
Drinking Water
Public Water Systems
-
Shelters served by an existing public water system are not
considered to be separate public water systems (PWS).
-
Any facility that will have its own water supply (i.e., water not
provided by an approved PWS) will be considered a PWS if the shelter
serves 25 or more people at least 60 days per year. This
includes any collection, treatment, storage, or distribution
facilities used in connection with the system. Approval must
be obtained from the Water Quality Control Division prior to operation of the new water
system.
-
Consultation should occur between shelter coordinators and the PWS
serving the shelter to discuss capacity issues and to arrange
financial or contractual agreements. The division has PWS contact
information and supply information available and will assist with
coordination efforts.
- If the
drinking water taps at the shelter are routinely used and the PWS’s
routine monthly total coliform sample results are safe, additional sampling is not necessary.
However, during emergencies and upon request, the division will assist in sampling.
- If the
drinking water taps at the shelter have not been routinely used,
sampling microbiological analysis (total coliform) is
recommended bacteriological analyses. All taps at a
shelter that have not been in use should be run for a period of time
to ensure all stagnant water is out of the service lines prior to
sampling and public use
- If
construction of mains, service lines, or other drinking water
facilities is necessary to serve a potential shelter, water samples
need to be collected for bacteriological analyses and determined
safe prior to serving water at that location.
- If the
shelter will have its own independent water system (i.e., not served
by an existing water system), samples are required for
bacteriological and chemical analysis prior to operation.
-
State
approved laboratories for both chemical and microbiological analyses.
Water
Haulers, Storage Tanks, and Tanker Trucks
- In the event
of a state or federal declared emergency, the Colorado National
Guard or private tank truck companies may provide tank trucks for
hauling drinking water.
- If a storage
tank or tank truck will be used to store or haul drinking water to a
shelter, the storage tank and/or tank truck should be selected with
two considerations in mind: the nature of the normal use and the
degree of difficulty in cleaning. Commercial milk or potable water
tank trucks are preferred. Trucks designed for the transport of
wine, vegetable oil, beer, or other food products may also be used.
Trucks that have been used to haul petroleum products or other toxic
substances are not approved. A list of alternative potable water
supplies and the guidelines for preparing tank trucks for water
hauling is attached.
- The source
of water supplied to the tank must be from an approved public water
supply and have a free chlorine residual of one (1) part per million
(ppm) at the beginning of each haul.
- If time
allows, tank water should be analyzed for bacteriologic
contamination prior to use.
- Monitoring
of chlorine residual of the water in the tank should be measured
frequently to insure a minimum of 0.2 ppm free chlorine residual is
maintained.
Wastewater
- Whenever
possible, all wastewater from showers, toilets, etc., should be
discharged to a sanitary sewer system.
- If sewers
and sewage treatment are not available, a holding tank could be
utilized where the contents are routinely pumped out and taken to a
sewage treatment plant.
- When sewers
are not available, a package type sewage treatment plant could be
installed.
Water Quality
Control Division 303-692-3500
(24-hour) Environmental Hotline 1-877-518-5608
CDPHE
Laboratory Service 303-692-3090
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