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Emergency planning (also referred to as contingency planning) is one of the most valuable parts of the SWP process. It puts answers to many of the "what if" type questions and can enable your system to react thoughtfully to a problem instead of reacting to a crisis. For example:
"What if a tanker spill or tank leak occurred today that caused a large pool of fuel within 300 feet of one of your wells or within a mile upstream from your intake?"
- Is the well or intake threatened?
- Is there an emergency response mechanism in place sufficient to contain the spill?
- Should you shut down the well or intake?
- Can you provide an alternate and safe supply of water for a short period of time until the threat has passed?
- Do you have the funding to pay for water via a tank truck for a short period of time?
- Is providing an alternative source of water an option?
These are the types of questions to which you should have answers before you actually need them. It is a form of short-term planning.