Water & Wastewater Resilience
Each year, disasters increase in frequency and severity. Organizations that are not properly prepared are at higher risk of injuries, damage, and loss, creating significant cost inefficiencies and impacting critical services to customers. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires water and wastewater utilities to update their Risk and Resilience Assessments (RRAs) and Emergency Response Plans (ERP) on a five-year cycle to be compliant with America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018. Launch! Consulting staff have assisted over 150 clients in meeting this EPA requirement.
Launch! Consulting staff are part of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) team that developed the risk assessment and emergency planning standards, as well as the Risk and Resilience Certificate Program. Our team knows the industry guidance inside and out and is uniquely equipped to ensure every utility meets requirements while truly increasing the resilience of staff and infrastructure.
For systems that serve a community of 3,300 people or more, the EPA deadlines are listed below for Risk and Resilience Assessments & Emergency Response Plan updates.
1
Small Systems
serving a population of
3,301 to 49,999:
RRAs: June 30, 2026
ERPs: Dec 31, 2026
2
Medium Systems
serving a population of 50,000 to 99,999
RRAs: Dec 31, 2025
ERPs: June 30, 2026
3
Large Systems
serving a population of ≥100,000
RRAs: March 31, 2025
ERPs: Sept 30, 2025
Launch! Consulting has supported utilities across the country in RRA and ERP development. Our team of engineering, security, cyber security, and emergency management experts work diligently with each client’s team and community partners to deliver detailed products that reduces risk, lowers costs, and enhances preparedness. With our help, systems become more resilient and better equipped to withstand the effects of disasters.