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

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In summary, this water shortage contingency plan contains similar curtailment stages to other best practice noted in this criteria section of our report. ➢ Seattle Parks and Recreation Water Shortage Contingency Plan Revised March 2005: This plan is another example or best practice of water shortage contingency plan that provides phased curtailment plan. There are four stages of response based upon increasing severity, as progressively more serious conditions warrant. We summarized the plan as follows: • Advisory Stage — Objectives include: to prepare the Department, City, relevant agencies and water users for potential water shortage thereby allowing all parties adequate planning and coordination time; to undertake supply management actions that forestall or minimize the need later for more stringent demand or supply management actions. Also included were two triggers, a short public message, communication actions and internal operating actions to be implemented during this stage. • Voluntary Stage — Objectives include: to maintain or reduce demand to meet target consumption levels by voluntary actions, to forestall or minimize need later for more stringent demand or supply management actions; to minimize disruption to Parks' projects and programs while meeting target consumption goals; to minimize impact on revenue producing programs; and to continue use and maintain valuable assets. Also, included were two triggers, a short public message, communication actions, and internal operating actions to be implemented during this stage. In addition, other departments are listed along with action procedures for some types of existing programs. • Mandatory Stage — Objectives include: to achieve targeted consumption reduction goals by restricting defined water uses; to protect public health and safety and ensure survival of valuable assets; to minimize disruption to Parks' projects and programs while meeting target consumption goals; and to minimize impact on revenue producing programs. Also included was a short description of triggers and public message, communication actions, and internal operating actions to be implemented during this mandatory stage. In addition, descriptions similar to the voluntary stage was included. Emergency Curtailment — At this stage, SPU recognizes that a critical water situation exists. Without additional significant curtailment action, a shortage of water for public health and safety will be imminent. No prior emergency in the Seattle water system's history fits this description. This stage is characterized by two basic approaches. More information can be Department of Water Supply Contingency Plan Appendix A 127