2020-01 Performance Audit Report: Contingency Plans at County of Hawai'i's Department of Water Supply

Home

Audit Results The Department of Water Supply should improve both their continuity and contingency plans to help guarantee sufficient water supply at all times, including during disruptions of deep well operations and to preserve public trust. Contingency and continuity plans are similar: they both require specific procedures in instances where things go wrong to allow for continuing operations. A continuity plan is a broader plan that includes steps on the prevention and recovery of operations in the event of a disaster. Whereas a contingency plan is a vital part of the continuity plan that helps organizational leaders prepare for all kinds of worst-case scenarios. In other words, contingency plans cover in -the -moment procedures in an emergency while a continuity plan covers how an organization will get up and running again. Best practices say that contingency plans should address specific criteria for the initiation and termination of water shortage stages. Plans should also include procedures on the initiation and termination of water shortage stages, procedures for notification and education of the public, and procedures for monitoring the situation during water shortage stages. DWS has several contingency plans as well as a continuity plan. However, DWS did not develop the contingency plans until four wells became inoperable in 2017. We reviewed these plans and found: 1. DWS's 2017 contingency plans should be improved including: a. Contingency plans should contain sufficient detail including prioritizing and clearly documenting emergency procedures. b. Plans should include emergency contingencies by district. c. Plans should describe types and implementation guidance of water usage restrictions. d. Plans should clearly document communication procedures. 2. Details of DWS's Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) should be fully completed. Department of Water Supply Contingency Plan Audit Results 15