Ensuring site recovery after Cyclone Alfred

With Cyclone Alfred finally on its fizzling stage, it’s important to assess your treatment plants – especially if they’ve been impacted by flooding.

We’d like to offer some advice from our years of experience in how to re-instate a treatment plant which has been inundated. Once the site has dried up, uncovering assets and permitting safe entry, here are a few considerations:

1. Ensure safety first

Personnel Safety:

• Do not enter the site until authorities declare it safe.
• Watch for structural damage, electrical hazards, and gas leaks.
• Wear protective gear (gloves, boots, masks, etc.).

Water & Sewer Contamination Risk:

• Assume contamination—boil advisories may be necessary for drinking water.
• Prevent direct contact with floodwaters, which may contain sewage, chemicals, or debris.

2. Assess the Damage

 Conduct a Structural & Mechanical Inspection

• Inspect tanks, basins, and other structures for damage or sediment buildup.
• Check for pipeline breaks or leaks.
• Ensure chemical storage areas are intact.

Check your Electrical & Control Systems

• Shut down power before entering flooded areas.
• Have a qualified electrician inspect panels, pumps, motors, and controls before re-energizing.

Revisit your Equipment & Chemical Supplies

• Check pumps, blowers, valves, meters, and backup generators for damage.
• Inspect chemical feed systems and replenish lost supplies

3. Restore Operations

Drinking Water Systems

• Flush, disinfect, and test all water distribution lines.
• Inspect and clean filters, storage tanks, and treatment units.
• Check wellheads or intakes for contamination.
• Conduct bacteriological and chemical testing before lifting advisories.

Wastewater Systems

• Remove debris and sludge from tanks and basins.
• Inspect lift stations and replace damaged pumps or floats.
• Restart aeration and biological treatment processes gradually.
• Test effluent quality before resuming discharge.

4. Check-in On Regulatory Compliance & Communication

Notify Authorities

• Report damage and operational status to state/local regulators.
• Follow emergency reporting protocols for spills or permit violations.

Public Notifications

• Issue boil water advisories or sewage overflow alerts if needed.
• Provide updates on service restoration timelines.

Water & Wastewater Testing

• Conduct required bacteriological and chemical tests.
• Ensure treated water meets regulatory standards before distribution.

5. Prevent Future Flood Impacts

Conduct Resilience Planning

• Elevate electrical equipment and critical infrastructure.
• Improve drainage and flood barriers around the facility.
• Develop and update emergency response and flood mitigation plans.
• Consider backup power options (e.g., generators, solar).

For a more in depth, instructional guide, please click to download our flyer –Treatment Plant Recovery After A Flood