Beyond AWIA compliance: turning risk assessments into real resilience

Recertification deadlines for America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) compliance are quickly approaching. Utilities must update their Risk and Resilience Assessments (RRAs) and Emergency Response Plans (ERPs) within the next year, but compliance alone does not guarantee preparedness. In her recent article for NACWA’s The Clean Water Voice Blog, Carollo’s Lead Resilience and Sustainability Analyst, Shari St. John, explores how utilities can move beyond compliance to build real resilience.

AWIA: From Risk Assessment to Action

AWIA requirements help utilities identify vulnerabilities, but as Shari notes, “information is not resilience, and planning is not preparedness.” Many organizations know what needs to be done to reduce risk, yet progress stalls due to unclear direction or a lack of designated responsibility. To bridge the gap, utilities should develop an implementation plan that documents and tracks risk reduction initiatives.

A structured approach, such as setting Specific, Measurable, Assignable, Relevant, and Time-Bound (SMART) goals, can help utilities take meaningful action. For example, a utility facing a high flood risk might set a goal to install flood barriers at key facilities by a defined deadline, yielding progress is both measurable and accountable.

Utilities can also strengthen resilience by incorporating RRA findings into their infrastructure design standards. Shari highlights how the nuclear industry uses a design basis framework to build facilities that can withstand specific threats. Water utilities can take a similar approach by setting resilience criteria for new infrastructure.

Testing Emergency Response Plans Before an Emergency

Having an ERP in place is one thing, but making sure it functions effectively under real-world conditions is another. Shari emphasizes the importance of running exercises to test emergency plans before a crisis occurs.

“During a wildfire or flood event is not when you want to realize that your plan is difficult to navigate, overly wordy, and filled with policy language and jargon,” she warns. Conducting drills and simulations helps utilities refine their plans, train staff, and identify gaps in response coordination.

Engaging external partners, such as fire departments, police, and neighboring utilities, further enhances emergency preparedness by clarifying roles and response expectations before a crisis unfolds.

The Role of Technology in Emergency Preparedness

Advancements in technology offer new tools to improve emergency response. Digital twin models allow utilities to simulate emergencies, identify system vulnerabilities, and develop response strategies in advance. Shari also highlights Microsoft Teams Emergency Operations Center as a tool for maintaining situational awareness during emergencies, especially when response teams are spread across multiple locations.

While artificial intelligence (AI) should not replace expert judgment, it can be used to develop frameworks for emergency response procedures. “My recommended compromise for the use of AI in emergency management is to use it as a guidance tool for developing procedure headings and subheadings, but to develop detailed content… in consultation with utility operators, management, and relevant emergency response stakeholders,” Shari advises.

Building Resilience Beyond Compliance

Utilities have an opportunity to move beyond regulatory requirements and create real, lasting resilience. By actively implementing risk reduction measures, integrating resilience into infrastructure planning, testing emergency plans, and leveraging new technologies, utilities can be better prepared for future challenges.

To read Shari St. John’s full article on turning risk assessments into real resilience, visit NACWA’s The Clean Water Voice Blog.