What is OnWARN?
OnWARN is a province-wide Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN) of "utilities helping utilities" to prepare for the next natural or human-caused emergency.
Why do we need OnWARN?
Water and wastewater systems provide our communities with a life-sustaining resource that is of vital importance to maintaining public health, sanitation and safety. When water and wastewater services are interrupted for extended periods of time, a community's well-being quickly deteriorates, as evidenced by Hurricane Katrina. Without an adequate water supply, our communities are vulnerable to devastating fires. By restoring water and wastewater service in the most efficient manner possible, OnWARN provides renewed hope for fast recovery from such disasters.
How does OnWARN help?
OnWARN provides water and wastewater utilities with:
- A Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement and process for sharing emergency resources among water and wastewater agencies province-wide.
- A mutual assistance program consistent with other province-wide mutual aid and assistance programs and the Incident Management System.
- The resources to respond to and recover more quickly from a natural or human-caused disaster.
- A forum for developing and maintaining emergency contacts and relationships.
Why Join OnWARN?
Who is more likely to have that specialized pump or valve your system needs to get back on line in a hurry? That's right, another water or wastewater system. So join your peers in OnWARN and become part of the network dedicated to keeping our communities healthy, sanitary and safe.
OnWARN Mission
The mission of the OnWARN network is to support and promote province-wide emergency preparedness, disaster response and mutual aid and assistance for public and private water and wastewater utilities for natural and human-caused events.
Participation
The
OnWARN Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement is available to all public and private water and wastewater utilities in Ontario. All actions, recommendations, etc. are made in accordance with the articles of the agreement.
Renewed hope
When water and wastewater service is restored, people have a renewed sense of hope that recovery is forthcoming!