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Conclusion <br /> <br />The primary function of DWS is to provide safe drinking water service through its 23 individual <br />water systems distributed throughout the island. The Department of Water Supply continuously <br />strives to provide dependable, uninterrupted, high quality, potable water at a reasonable cost in <br />compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. <br /> <br />Contingency and continuity plans are similar: they both require specific procedures in instances <br />where things go wrong to allow for continuing operations. A continuity plan is a broader plan that <br />includes steps on the prevention and recovery of operations in the event of a disaster. Whereas <br />a contingency plan is a vital part of the continuity plan that helps organizational leaders prepare <br />for worst-case scenarios. In other words, contingency plans cover in -the -moment procedures in <br />an emergency while a continuity plan covers how an organization will get up and running again. <br /> <br />Best practices say that contingency plans should address specific criteria for the initiation and <br />termination of water shortage stages, procedures for notification and education of the public, and <br />procedures for monitoring the situation during water shortage stages. <br /> <br />We commend the Department of Water Supply for their efforts to improve contingency plans to <br />provide water to customers during a disruption of deepwell operations. To further strengthen <br />internal controls over contingency plans, we've identified some opportunities: <br /> <br />DWS should: <br /> • Review and update written plans accordingly <br /> • Consolidate applicable plans <br /> • Make plans accessible to appropriate DWS staff <br /> • Re -certify Continuity of Operations Plan annually <br /> <br />In closing, to improve government accountability and ensure audit recommendations are <br />implemented or resolved, we will continuously monitor the status of recommendations using our <br />remediation tracker. To view the department's status, visit us at: <br />https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/our-county/legislative/office-of-the-county-auditor. <br /> <br /> <br />13 Conclusion <br />