[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 33, Volume 3]

[Revised as of July 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 33CFR203.61]



[Page 19-20]

 

                TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

 

 CHAPTER II--CORPS OF ENGINEERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, DEPARTMENT OF 

                                 DEFENSE

 

PART 203_EMERGENCY EMPLOYMENT OF ARMY AND OTHER RESOURCES, NATURAL 

DISASTER PROCEDURES--Table of Contents

 

   Subpart E_Emergency Water Supplies: Contaminated Water Sources and 

                           Drought Assistance

 

Sec.  203.61  Emergency water supplies due to contaminated water source.





    (a) Authority. The Chief of Engineers is authorized to provide 

emergency supplies of clean water to any locality confronted with a 

source of contaminated water causing, or likely to cause, a substantial 

threat to the public health and welfare of the inhabitants of the 

locality.

    (b) Policies. (1) Any locality faced with a threat to public health 

and welfare from a contaminated source of drinking water is eligible for 

assistance.

    (2) Eligibility for assistance will be based on one or more of the 

following factors:

    (i) The maximum contaminant level or treatment technique for a 

contaminant, as established by the Environmental Protection Agency 

pursuant to the Safe Drinking Water Act (see 40 CFR 141), is exceeded.

    (ii) The water supply has been identified as a source of illness by 

a tribal, State, or Federal public health official. The specific 

contaminant does not have to be identified.

    (iii) An emergency (e.g., a flood or chemical spill) has occurred 

that has resulted in either: one or more contaminants entering the 

source on a sufficient scale to endanger health; or, the emergency has 

made inoperable the equipment necessary to remove known contaminants.

    (iv) The presence of a contaminant is indicated on the basis of 

other information available.

    (3) Corps assistance will be directed toward the provision of the 

minimum amount of water required to maintain the health and welfare 

requirements of the affected population. The quantity of water and the 

means of distribution will be at the discretion of the responsible Corps 

official, who will consider the needs of the individual situation, the 

needs of the affected community, and the cost effectiveness of providing 

water by various methods.

    (4) If a locality has multiple sources of water, assistance will be 

furnished only to the extent that the remaining sources, with reasonable 

conservation measures, cannot provide adequate supplies of drinking 

water.

    (5) Loss of water supply is not a basis for assistance under this 

authority.

    (6) Water will not be furnished for commercial processes, except as 

incidental to the use of existing distribution systems. This does not 

prohibit the furnishing of water for drinking by employees and on-site 

customers. Water for preparing retail meals and similar personal needs 

may be provided to the extent it would be furnished to individuals.

    (7) The permanent restoration of a safe supply of drinking water is 

the responsibility of local interests.

    (8) Corps assistance is limited to 30 days, and requires the local 

interests to provide assurances of cooperation in a CA. (See subpart G 

of this part.) Extension of this 30-day period requires agreement (as an 

amendment to the previously signed CA) between the



[[Page 20]]



State and the Corps. This agreement must cover specified services and 

responsibilities of each party, and provision of a firm schedule for 

local interests to provide normal supplies of water.

    (9) State, tribal, and local governments must make full use of their 

own resources, including National Guard capabilities.

    (c) Governor's request. A letter signed by the Governor, or his or 

her authorized representative, requesting Corps assistance and 

addressing the State's commitments and capabilities in response to the 

emergency situation, is required. All requests should identify the 

following information:

    (1) Describe the local and State efforts undertaken. Verify that all 

reasonably available resources have been committed.

    (2) Identify the specific needs of the State, and the required Corps 

assistance.

    (3) Identify additional commitments to be accomplished by the State.

    (4) Identify the project sponsor(s).

    (d) Non-Federal responsibilities. Non-Federal interests are 

responsible for restoration of the routine supply of clean drinking 

water, including correcting any situations that cause contamination. If 

assistance is furnished by the Corps, local interests must furnish the 

basic requirements of local cooperation as detailed in the Cooperation 

Agreement. In all cases, reasonable water conservation measures must be 

implemented. Local interests will be required to operate and maintain 

any loaned equipment, and to remove and return such equipment to Federal 

interests, in a fully maintained condition, after the situation is 

resolved.