Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

    • Environmental Topics
    • Air
    • Bed Bugs
    • Cancer
    • Chemicals, Toxics, and Pesticide
    • Emergency Response
    • Environmental Information by Location
    • Health
    • Land, Waste, and Cleanup
    • Lead
    • Mold
    • Radon
    • Research
    • Science Topics
    • Water Topics
    • A-Z Topic Index
    • Laws & Regulations
    • By Business Sector
    • By Topic
    • Compliance
    • Enforcement
    • Laws and Executive Orders
    • Regulations
    • Report a Violation
    • Environmental Violations
    • Fraud, Waste or Abuse
    • About EPA
    • Our Mission and What We Do
    • Headquarters Offices
    • Regional Offices
    • Labs and Research Centers
    • Planning, Budget, and Results
    • Organization Chart
    • EPA History

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Emergency Response for Drinking Water and Wastewater Utilities

WARN Questions and Answers

What is a WARN?

The Water and Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN) is a mutual aid and assistance network comprised of drinking water and wastewater utilities that provides other utilities within a state a means to quickly obtain help in the form of personnel, equipment, materials and associated services to restore critical operations impacted during any type of emergency, big or small. Assistance can be provided without a state or federal emergency declaration.

Do I have to pay to use the WARN?

Most (98 percent) WARNs across the country do not charge any fees to be a member.

Do WARNS need to be activated?

No, WARNs stand ready when needed and do not require an official activation to fulfill resource requests. Rather, each WARN receives and fulfills resource requests differently, and the process can be explained when a utility becomes a member. Most WARNs allow member utilities to connect directly with any other members when help is needed.

Are WARN utilities required to respond during emergencies?

No, membership in a WARN is completely voluntary and there is no obligation to respond during an emergency. A utility is only required to follow through if they commit to assisting a requesting utility. 

What are the benefits of being a WARN member?

  1. Expedites arrival of aid during an emergency by providing a single agreement that can be utilized by all member utilities statewide.
  2. Provides access to drinking water and wastewater professionals with specialized technical assistance and resources.
  3. Reduces administrative conflicts by providing an approved agreement that a requesting and lending utility can use during an emergency.
  4. Enhances emergency preparedness and coordination.
  5. Is consistent with the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

The WARN agreement spells out how liability, worker’s compensation, insurance and reimbursement will work between the assisting and requesting utility.

How can I find my local WARN?

To find your local WARN visit: https://www.epa.gov/waterutilityresponse/mutual-aid-and-assistance-drinking-water-and-wastewater-utilities#2, or download the Water Utility Response On-The-Go App and select the “Contact Response Partners” panel to access WARN Chair contact information.

Do I have to be a member to access WARN resources?

Yes, all member utilities are governed by a common WARN mutual aid agreement, but the only requirement to joining is a signed mutual aid agreement. The WARN agreement allows utilities to share resources in a more expedited way, compared to other mechanisms that may require a formal disaster declaration. The agreement spells out how liability, workers’ compensation, insurance and reimbursement will work.

Return to Water and Wastewater Agency Response Networks (WARN) website

Emergency Response for Drinking Water and Wastewater Utilities

  • Plan For Emergencies
    • Develop or Update an Emergency Response Plan
    • Emergency Drinking Water Supply Guidance
    • Incident Action Checklists
    • Water and Wastewater Supply Chain Resilience
    • Water Sector Guide to Telecommunications During Power Outages
    • Prepare for Position Navigation and Timing Risks
  • Hazard Resilience
    • Build Earthquake Resilience
    • Build Flood Resilience
    • Build Pandemic Resilience
    • Build Power Resilience
    • Build Wildfire Resilience
    • Respond to Drought
  • Mutual Aid and Assistance for Drinking Water and Wastewater Utilities
    • Learn About Water/Wastewater Agency Response Networks (WARNs)
    • Join a WARN
    • Access WARN Training Tools
  • Decontamination
    • Documents to Guide Remediation
    • Sampling Methods and Decontamination Technologies
    • Response Protocol Toolbox
  • Water Utility Communication During Emergency Response
Contact Us About Emergency Response for Drinking Water and Wastewater Utilities
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on March 14, 2025
  • Assistance
  • Spanish
  • Arabic
  • Chinese (simplified)
  • Chinese (traditional)
  • French
  • Haitian Creole
  • Korean
  • Portuguese
  • Russian
  • Tagalog
  • Vietnamese
United States Environmental Protection Agency

Discover.

  • Accessibility Statement
  • Budget & Performance
  • Contracting
  • EPA www Web Snapshot
  • Grants
  • No FEAR Act Data
  • Plain Writing
  • Privacy
  • Privacy and Security Notice

Connect.

  • Data
  • Inspector General
  • Jobs
  • Newsroom
  • Regulations.gov
  • Subscribe
  • USA.gov
  • White House

Ask.

  • Contact EPA
  • EPA Disclaimers
  • Hotlines
  • FOIA Requests
  • Frequent Questions
  • Site Feedback

Follow.