With the onset of cold temperatures, drinking water systems should prepare for any adverse impacts to treatment, distribution and overall operations.  Below are some items that can be considered before the bad weather arrives

Intake:

1. Run the traveling screens frequently to avoid freezing.
2. Alternate use of raw water pumps.
3. Keep water moving in sample lines to avoid freezing.

WTP:

1. Run 24 hours a day (even at a reduced rate) to keep ice from forming on basins and keep filters and lines from freezing.  Remember, customers will be running water to keep their pipes from freezing as well.
2. Polyaluminum chloride coagulants work better in cold water than alum or ferric based ones.  Remember to get approval from DOW if changing to a different coagulant.
3. Alternate chemical feed pumps if possible to avoid freezing.
4. Adjust mixing speeds in the flash mix and flocculators as floc development will be slower in cold weather.
5. Colder filter backwash water may mean adjustments to the volume of water used to wash filters and the length of time needed to wash.
6. Keep full loads of chemicals on hand in case road conditions prevent deliveries
7. If the plant has the ability to run on diesel generators, have enough diesel fuel on hand and exercise the diesel pumps and generators beforehand.
8. Contact pump supply and maintenance companies to set up arrangements for any emergency maintenance or equipment.

Distribution:

1. Make arrangements with vendors that can supply portable generators.  Know what amperage, voltage and phase is needed for each site.  Know how to hook the generators to the existing equipment.
2. Know where to obtain diesel fuel for portable generators.
3. Make arrangements to acquire or purchase any equipment that may be needed to thaw services and meters.
4. If you have emergency connections with other water systems, contact them to discuss available water and system demands.
5. Turnover the water in the storage tanks to keep ice from potentially building up inside.
6. When repairing main breaks and leaks, remember to use barriers around any standing water and de-ice the roadways as soon as possible to avoid accidents.
7. Have a sufficient stock of distribution repair supplies on hand that cover all types of mains and service connections.

General:

1. Have proactive public relations messages ready to distribute by radio, TV and newspaper.
2. Have someone designated within the utility to serve as a media spokesperson.
3. Contact the local electric power company and have the water system designated as a “priority customer.”
4. Contact the city, county and local state road maintenance garages to determine who to call when needing roads to the plants/tanks plowed.
5. Have sufficient de-icing product on hand for parking lots and sidewalks.
6. Provide staff that must work outdoors with proper clothing.
7. Prepare a staffing plan to accommodate increased hours of pumpage and to cover all shifts should employees be unable to get to work.
8. Prepare a plan for accommodating staff that cannot get home or must work extra hours.
9. Make sure heavy equipment (backhoes, dump trucks) have been serviced and maintained.