State and Local
Haley & Aldrich develops a plan to keep drinking water flowing after an emergency
2.3 million people
served by an emergency drinking water plan
Summary
- Millions of people in the Portland, Oregon, area could lose access to clean drinking water after a major natural disaster.
- We shaped planning to prevent this outcome by surveying and interviewing over 40 local, state, and federal officials.
- Our research informed actionable recommendations to strengthen regional water policy and infrastructure.
Client challenge
After a major natural disaster in the Portland, Oregon, region, millions of people could lose access to clean drinking water. The area’s Regional Disaster Preparedness Organization (RDPO) Steering Committee needed to plan for how to keep drinking water flowing immediately after an emergency and while the region recovered, a process that could take months or even years.
The committee needed to understand potential gaps in water availability and how to fill those gaps — a complex endeavor that meant coordinating with as many as 70+ local water providers, state agencies in Oregon and Washington, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The RDPO contracted Haley & Aldrich’s resilience team to work with these stakeholders and develop a plan. Our team has served as trusted partners to RDPO and many of the other groups involved, and we also brought expertise in the natural disasters most likely to hit the region.
Our approach
We surveyed and interviewed over 40 water providers, emergency managers from RDPO counties, and other local, state, and federal officials — a task made easier by our strong relationships with many of these partners.
We also knew that the stakeholders had varying experiences with and understanding of the region’s natural hazards and water provider infrastructure, so we conducted workshops detailing roles and responsibilities, and included the results of a current gap analysis.
Ultimately, we presented the results of our survey and recommendations for stronger water infrastructure, ranging from how much drinking water to have in reserve, how to develop relationships and communications plans, and how to prioritize water needs after a disaster.
Value delivered
- Made actional, data-backed recommendations for stronger water infrastructure
- Shaped a tabletop exercise that tested our regional policy recommendations with data we collected early in the project
- Successfully worked through leadership changes at RDPO, pivoting to anticipate new leaders’ needs and achieve project goals
For more information, contact:
Senior Resilience Project Manager
Related Projects
Creative solutions to regulatory hurdles help manufacturer get needed water resources
San Diego Airport shows sustainability leadership through water stewardship plan
Forward-thinking geotechnical expertise helps protect New York hospital from flooding
California city becomes model for water stewardship with actionable water sustainability plan
Our stormwater experts restore wildlife habitat at former aerospace site
Creative thinking helps landfill owner avoid costly permit violation and reduces monitoring…
Geothermal design and innovative approach allow for many benefits at the Portland…
Our groundwater modeling approach and regulatory insight help client decommission a former…
Mining company saves millions through our analysis of its stormwater management systems
Boston’s tallest residential tower rests on our innovative foundation design system
Nestlé Waters achieves global water stewardship standard with Haley & Aldrich’s guidance
