--- title: Prepare Your Water Utility for the Next Pandemic - GDS Associates, Inc description: "Here are seven (7) things a water system can do to prepare for the next pandemic: #1 Understand that there will be a “next” pandemic" image: https://blog.gdsassociates.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/GettyImages-497975685-water-worker-e1591290782958.jpg --- [770.425.8100](tel:770.425.8100) - - - - - [Requests For Proposals](https://www.gdsassociates.com/requests-for-proposals/) [![Gdsassociates](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Gdsassociates_May2021/images/Header_logo.jpg?width=2000&name=Header_logo.jpg "Gdsassociates")](https://www.gdsassociates.com/) - [Home](https://www.gdsassociates.com/) - [Services](https://www.gdsassociates.com/services/) - [ENERGY SUPPLY](https://www.gdsassociates.com/power-supply-planning/) - [Power Supply Planning](https://www.gdsassociates.com/power-supply-planning/) - [Generation Services](https://www.gdsassociates.com/power-generation-services/) - [Renewable Energy Sources, Distributed Generation & CHP](https://www.gdsassociates.com/renewable-energy-resources-distributed-generation-combined-heat-and-power-services/) - [Energy Procurement Services](https://www.gdsassociates.com/energy-procurement-services/) - [RATES, REGULATORY & FINANCIAL SERVICES](https://www.gdsassociates.com/rate-regulatory-financial-services/) - [Rate, Regulatory & Financial Services](https://www.gdsassociates.com/rate-regulatory-financial-services/) - [Load Forecasting & Data Analytics](https://www.gdsassociates.com/load-forecasting-data-analytics/) - [Risk Management](https://www.gdsassociates.com/risk-management/) - [Municipal Financial Services](https://www.gdsassociates.com/municipal-financial-services/) - [RTO Settlements & Scheduling Services](https://www.gdsassociates.com/rto-settlements-and-scheduling-services/) - [Regulatory & Restructuring Services](https://www.gdsassociates.com/regulatory-restructuring-services/) - [ENERGY EFFICIENCY](https://www.gdsassociates.com/energy-efficiency-demand-side-management/) - [Energy Efficiency & DSM](https://www.gdsassociates.com/energy-efficiency-demand-side-management/) - [Building Energy Services Consulting](https://www.gdsassociates.com/building-energy-services-consulting/) - [Industrial & Commercial](https://www.gdsassociates.com/industrial-and-commercial-energy-services/) - [Agricultural](https://www.gdsassociates.com/agricultural-energy-management-2/) - [Municipal](https://www.gdsassociates.com/municipal-energy-use-and-efficiency/) - [Energy Consulting for the Hospitality Industry](https://www.gdsassociates.com/energy-consulting-for-the-hospitality-industry/) - [Public Housing Authority](https://www.gdsassociates.com/public-housing-authority/) - [TRANSMISSION](https://www.gdsassociates.com/transmission-services-overview/) - [Transmission Services Overview](https://www.gdsassociates.com/transmission-services-overview/) - [Operations/Regulatory](https://www.gdsassociates.com/operations-regulatory-expertise/) - [Transmission Services Planning](https://www.gdsassociates.com/transmission-planning-services/) - [NERC Compliance Services](https://www.gdsassociates.com/nerc-compliance-services/) - [NATURAL GAS](https://www.gdsassociates.com/natural-gas-consulting/) - [Natural Gas Consulting](https://www.gdsassociates.com/natural-gas-consulting/) - [OTHER SPECIALIZED SERVICES](https://www.gdsassociates.com/information-technology/) - [Information Technology](https://www.gdsassociates.com/information-technology/) - [Water & Wastewater Utility Consulting Services](https://www.gdsassociates.com/water-wastewater-utility-consulting-services/) - [Utility Privatization Services](https://www.gdsassociates.com/utility-privatization-services/) - [Hi-Line Engineering](https://www.gdsassociates.com/about-hiline-engineering/) - [UTILITY DISTRIBUTION SERVICES](https://www.gdsassociates.com/hi-line-training-overview/) - [About Hi-Line Engineering](https://www.gdsassociates.com/about-hiline-engineering/) - [Line Design & Staking](https://www.gdsassociates.com/hi-line-line-design-staking/) - [Hi-Line Training Overview](https://www.gdsassociates.com/hi-line-training-overview/) - [System Planning](https://www.gdsassociates.com/hi-line-system-planning/) - [Work Order Inspection](https://www.gdsassociates.com/hi-line-work-order-inspection-2/) - [Mapping & Drafting](https://www.gdsassociates.com/hi-line-mapping-drafting/) - [Arc-Flash Hazard Analysis](https://www.gdsassociates.com/hi-line-arc-flash-hazard-analysis/) - [Expert Testimony/Litigation](https://www.gdsassociates.com/hi-line-expert-testimony-litigation/) - [Meter Review/AMI Meter Evaluation](https://www.gdsassociates.com/hi-line-meter-review-ami-meter-evaluation/) - [Renewables Design & Distributed Generation](https://www.gdsassociates.com/hi-line-renewables-design-distributed-generation/) - [GDS Utility Privatization Services](https://www.gdsassociates.com/utility-privatization-services/) - [DOWNLOADS](https://www.gdsassociates.com/downloads-2/) - [Hi-Line Engineering Bookstore](https://www.gdsassociates.com/rus-specification-books/) - [TRAINING CLASSES & TESTING](https://www.gdsassociates.com/hi-line-training-overview/) - [Training Class Schedule](https://www.gdsassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Seminar-Calendar-Table-2024-February-1.pdf) - [Webinar Schedule](https://www.gdsassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2024-Hi-Line-Webinar-Schedule-and-Fillable-Reg-Form.pdf) - [EV Webinar Schedule](https://www.gdsassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2024-EV-Webinar-Series-Schedule-and-Reg-Form.pdf) - [Testing Login](https://exam.gdsassociates.com/) - [About](https://www.gdsassociates.com/energy-engineers-analysts/) - [Meet the Team](https://www.gdsassociates.com/meet-team/) - [GDS News](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/) - [Careers](https://www.gdsassociates.com/energy-careers/) - [Contact](https://www.gdsassociates.com/contact/) - [Home](https://www.gdsassociates.com/) - [Services](https://www.gdsassociates.com/services/) - [ENERGY SUPPLY](https://www.gdsassociates.com/power-supply-planning/) - [Power Supply Planning](https://www.gdsassociates.com/power-supply-planning/) - [Generation Services](https://www.gdsassociates.com/power-generation-services/) - [Renewable Energy Sources, Distributed Generation & CHP](https://www.gdsassociates.com/renewable-energy-resources-distributed-generation-combined-heat-and-power-services/) - [Energy Procurement Services](https://www.gdsassociates.com/energy-procurement-services/) - [RATES, REGULATORY & FINANCIAL SERVICES](https://www.gdsassociates.com/rate-regulatory-financial-services/) - [Rate, Regulatory & Financial Services](https://www.gdsassociates.com/rate-regulatory-financial-services/) - [Load Forecasting & Data Analytics](https://www.gdsassociates.com/load-forecasting-data-analytics/) - [Risk Management](https://www.gdsassociates.com/risk-management/) - [Municipal Financial Services](https://www.gdsassociates.com/municipal-financial-services/) - [RTO Settlements & Scheduling Services](https://www.gdsassociates.com/rto-settlements-and-scheduling-services/) - [Regulatory & Restructuring Services](https://www.gdsassociates.com/regulatory-restructuring-services/) - [ENERGY EFFICIENCY](https://www.gdsassociates.com/energy-efficiency-demand-side-management/) - [Energy Efficiency & DSM](https://www.gdsassociates.com/energy-efficiency-demand-side-management/) - [Building Energy Services Consulting](https://www.gdsassociates.com/building-energy-services-consulting/) - [Industrial & Commercial](https://www.gdsassociates.com/industrial-and-commercial-energy-services/) - [Agricultural](https://www.gdsassociates.com/agricultural-energy-management-2/) - [Municipal](https://www.gdsassociates.com/municipal-energy-use-and-efficiency/) - [Energy Consulting for the Hospitality Industry](https://www.gdsassociates.com/energy-consulting-for-the-hospitality-industry/) - [Public Housing Authority](https://www.gdsassociates.com/public-housing-authority/) - [TRANSMISSION](https://www.gdsassociates.com/transmission-services-overview/) - [Transmission Services Overview](https://www.gdsassociates.com/transmission-services-overview/) - [Operations/Regulatory](https://www.gdsassociates.com/operations-regulatory-expertise/) - [Transmission Services Planning](https://www.gdsassociates.com/transmission-planning-services/) - [NERC Compliance Services](https://www.gdsassociates.com/nerc-compliance-services/) - [ENVIRONMENT & SAFETY](https://www.gdsassociates.com/environmental-services-and-management/) - [Environmental Consulting & Management](https://www.gdsassociates.com/environmental-services-and-management/) - [Environmental Services Downloads](https://www.gdsassociates.com/environmental-downloads/) - [Carbon Compliance Services](https://www.gdsassociates.com/carbon-compliance-services/) - [NATURAL GAS](https://www.gdsassociates.com/natural-gas-consulting/) - [Natural Gas Consulting](https://www.gdsassociates.com/natural-gas-consulting/) - [OTHER SPECIALIZED SERVICES](https://www.gdsassociates.com/information-technology/) - [Information Technology](https://www.gdsassociates.com/information-technology/) - [Water & Wastewater Utility Consulting Services](https://www.gdsassociates.com/water-wastewater-utility-consulting-services/) - [Utility Privatization Services](https://www.gdsassociates.com/utility-privatization-services/) - [Hi-Line Engineering](https://www.gdsassociates.com/about-hiline-engineering/) - [UTILITY DISTRIBUTION SERVICES](https://www.gdsassociates.com/hi-line-training-overview/) - [About Hi-Line Engineering](https://www.gdsassociates.com/about-hiline-engineering/) - [Line Design & Staking](https://www.gdsassociates.com/hi-line-line-design-staking/) - [Hi-Line Training Overview](https://www.gdsassociates.com/hi-line-training-overview/) - [System Planning](https://www.gdsassociates.com/hi-line-system-planning/) - [Work Order Inspection](https://www.gdsassociates.com/hi-line-work-order-inspection-2/) - [Mapping & Drafting](https://www.gdsassociates.com/hi-line-mapping-drafting/) - [Arc-Flash Hazard Analysis](https://www.gdsassociates.com/hi-line-arc-flash-hazard-analysis/) - [Expert Testimony/Litigation](https://www.gdsassociates.com/hi-line-expert-testimony-litigation/) - [Meter Review/AMI Meter Evaluation](https://www.gdsassociates.com/hi-line-meter-review-ami-meter-evaluation/) - [Renewables Design & Distributed Generation](https://www.gdsassociates.com/hi-line-renewables-design-distributed-generation/) - [GDS Utility Privatization Services](https://www.gdsassociates.com/utility-privatization-services/) - [DOWNLOADS](https://www.gdsassociates.com/downloads-2/) - [PURCHASE RUS SPECIFICATION BOOKS](https://www.gdsassociates.com/rus-specification-books/) - [TRAINING CLASSES & TESTING](https://www.gdsassociates.com/hi-line-training-overview/) - [2021 Training Class Schedule](https://www.gdsassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Seminar-Calendar-Table-2021.pdf) - [2021 Webinar Schedule](https://www.gdsassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/2021-Hi-Line-Webinar-Schedule-wReg-Form.pdf) - [Testing Login](https://exam.gdsassociates.com/) - [About](https://www.gdsassociates.com/energy-engineers-analysts/) - [Meet the Team](https://www.gdsassociates.com/meet-team/) - [GDS News](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/) - [TransActions Newsletters](https://www.gdsassociates.com/category/newsletter-transactions/) - [Careers](https://www.gdsassociates.com/energy-careers/) - [Contact](https://www.gdsassociates.com/contact/) - [Requests For Proposals](https://www.gdsassociates.com/requests-for-proposals/) # Prepare Your Water Utility for the Next Pandemic by [GDS Associates, Inc](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/author/gds-associates-inc) | June 4, 2020 | [News](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/tag/news) , [Environment & Safety](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/tag/environment-safety) ![](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/GettyImages-497975685-water-worker-e1591290782958.jpg?width=531&height=354&name=GettyImages-497975685-water-worker-e1591290782958.jpg)*[Download PDF](https://www.gdsassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/7-Things-Water-Utility-Pandemic.pdf)* In 2008, Homeland Security Presidential Directive 7 (HSPD-7) designated the now 160,000 drinking water systems in the United States as one of 17 “critical infrastructure” sectors. As defined by the USA Patriot Act of 2001 (42 U.S.C. 5195c(e)), critical infrastructure includes any “systems and assets, whether physical or virtual, so vital to the United States that the incapacity or destruction of such systems and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination of those matters.” In my opinion, potable water is the utility we can least afford to lose. Disaster victims can endure without Internet, electricity or gas, but things get really ugly (and unhealthy) really fast when the taps stop running and the toilets stop flushing. The practical implication of this is that in times of disaster or emergency, water systems do not have the option to quit, stay home, lay low, hide out or otherwise fail to make and deliver potable water. You are expected to perform your mission no matter what. While the Patriot Act, Vulnerability Analyses and Emergency Response Plans all focus on terrorists, cyber-attacks, large chlorine releases and similar acute “emergencies,” the current Coronavirus pandemic presents the same challenges and requires the same level of effort. This became official on March 13, 2020 with the Presidential Declaration of National Emergency under section 501(b) of the Stafford Act. ## **Here are seven (7) things a water system can do to prepare for the next pandemic:** ![](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/icon-1.png?width=89&height=79&name=icon-1.png)#1 Understand that there will be a “next” pandemic, just as there is always a next hurricane, earthquake or flood. Between MERS (2012), SARS (2002), H1N1 (2009), H3N2 (1968), H2N2 (1957) and numerous other warm up exercises, we humans have been dodging this bullet on a regular basis since our last really big one of these a hundred years ago (the so-called 1918 Spanish Flu). ![](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/icon-2.png?width=90&height=79&name=icon-2.png)#2 Inventory surfaces and materials that need to be cleaned and disinfected. Focus on everything that gets touched from the entry doors to the workstations to light switches.   ![](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/icon-3.png?width=91&height=92&name=icon-3.png)#3 Find disinfection products that actually work by comparing the EPA registration number for any product you are considering using and verifying that it is on the applicable list. For the current virus (SARS-CoV-2), you should be looking at EPA “List N.” These products have been evaluated by the EPA and found to be effective against this virus. The product label will specify the application method (wipe, spray, fog), contact time needed to kill or deactivate the virus and similar specifications required by the EPA. ![](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/icon-4.png?width=88&height=66&name=icon-4.png)#4 Try to use only non-destructive disinfectants on sensitive equipment. Not everything responds well to bleach or just whatever you happen to have in the supply cabinet. Touchscreens and monitors, for example, generally can be disinfected with 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or quaternary ammonium products (“quats”), but will become smeared or greasy if wiped with hand sanitizer containing glycerin or other skin conditioners. Bleach, hydrogen peroxide and numerous other products may cause screens to darken or become spotty due to reactions with the polyester, polyacrylate or specialty coatings. Once damaged, they will not come back. ![](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/icon-5.png?width=93&height=52&name=icon-5.png)#5 Stockpile a reasonable amount of products and PPE (particularly masks) since they become very hard or impossible to find during the crisis. Consider using store brands (wipes and sprays) as long as the active ingredient(s) are the same as the name brands, which are often harder to find. ![](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/icon-6.png?width=86&height=87&name=icon-6.png)#6 Think in terms of infection control, not just a janitorial challenge. Germs need us to pass them around, usually by touching, coughing or sneezing. Examine your work practices to identify vulnerabilities such as shared equipment (even keys, pens and phones), too little social distancing (who even knew what that was just a few months ago?) and lack of hygiene. #7 ***Build “resiliency.”*** Defined very simply, this is your ability to take a hit and keep doing the job. Do you have good written SOPs for decontamination? Do you have reliable Mutual Aid agreements in place? Could you sequester your employees or shelter in place if things get so bad that you can’t chance passing the virus to or from home? What about medical support? How will you manage known or suspected cases? As you can see, a legitimate product list and non-destructive cleaning practices are only part of being a pandemic-resilient utility. Don’t be afraid to contact a trusted advisor to help you with getting it right. Everyone needs you to stay on post. We can deal with a lot – until the water stops. --- ### ![](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/scott-harris-photo-Jun-04-2021-07-32-44-17-PM.jpg?width=136&height=172&name=scott-harris-photo-Jun-04-2021-07-32-44-17-PM.jpg)About the Author: Scott Harris, PhD is the Associate Director of EHS Services in the Austin, TX office of GDS Associates, Inc. and an adjunct faculty at University of Texas at San Antonio, University of Utah and UNC-Chapel Hill. Dr. Harris received his PhD in Environmental Science, with a specialization in Disaster and Emergency Management, from Oklahoma State University and holds degrees in Public Health and Geology from Western Kentucky University. **Scott Harris, PhD** | **[CONTACT](mailto:scott.harris@gdsassociates.com)** 512-717-8053 or [scott.harris@gdsassociates.com](mailto:scott.harris@gdsassociates.com) ### GET OUR NEWSLETTER #### RECENT POSTS - [Protect the Grid: Act on Facility Ratings Today](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/protect-the-grid-act-on-facility-ratings-today) - [Why MOD-026-2 Matters: Raising the Bar for Generator and IBR Modeling Reliability](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/why-mod-026-2-matters-raising-the-bar-for-generator-and-ibr-modeling-reliability) - [Exploring the 2026-2028 Reliability Standards Development Plan](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/exploring-the-2026-2028-reliability-standards-development-plan) - [Blackstart Resource Availability During Extreme Cold Weather Conditions](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/blackstart-resource-availability-during-extreme-cold-weather-conditions) - [DOE Pushes FERC to Accelerate Large Load Grid Access](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/doe-pushes-ferc-to-accelerate-large-load-grid-access) ### Archives - [December 2015 (8)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2015/12) - [June 2025 (7)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2025/06) - [January 2016 (6)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2016/01) - [July 2016 (6)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2016/07) - [March 2021 (6)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2021/03) - [May 2022 (6)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2022/05) - [August 2020 (5)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2020/08) - [March 2015 (4)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2015/03) - [January 2019 (4)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2019/01) - [June 2019 (4)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2019/06) - [August 2019 (4)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2019/08) - [February 2020 (4)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2020/02) - [May 2020 (4)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2020/05) - [June 2020 (4)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2020/06) - [December 2020 (4)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2020/12) - [July 2021 (4)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2021/07) - [October 2021 (4)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2021/10) - [April 2024 (4)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2024/04) - [December 2024 (4)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2024/12) - [May 2025 (4)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2025/05) - [April 2015 (3)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2015/04) - [August 2016 (3)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2016/08) - [February 2017 (3)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2017/02) - [July 2017 (3)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2017/07) - [February 2018 (3)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2018/02) - [February 2019 (3)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2019/02) - [November 2019 (3)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2019/11) - [March 2020 (3)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2020/03) - [April 2020 (3)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2020/04) - [September 2021 (3)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2021/09) - [December 2021 (3)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2021/12) - [August 2022 (3)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2022/08) - [December 2022 (3)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2022/12) - [April 2023 (3)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2023/04) - [July 2023 (3)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2023/07) - [December 2023 (3)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2023/12) - [September 2024 (3)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2024/09) - [October 2025 (3)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2025/10) - [December 2025 (3)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2025/12) - [May 2014 (2)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2014/05) - [February 2016 (2)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2016/02) - [March 2016 (2)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2016/03) - [September 2016 (2)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2016/09) - [November 2016 (2)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2016/11) - [January 2017 (2)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2017/01) - [July 2018 (2)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2018/07) - [November 2018 (2)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2018/11) - [March 2019 (2)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2019/03) - [May 2019 (2)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2019/05) - [July 2020 (2)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2020/07) - [September 2020 (2)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2020/09) - [April 2021 (2)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2021/04) - [August 2021 (2)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2021/08) - [October 2024 (2)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2024/10) - [September 2025 (2)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2025/09) - [February 2014 (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2014/02) - [April 2014 (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2014/04) - [July 2014 (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2014/07) - [August 2014 (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2014/08) - [November 2014 (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2014/11) - [February 2015 (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2015/02) - [May 2015 (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2015/05) - [June 2015 (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2015/06) - [November 2015 (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2015/11) - [October 2016 (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2016/10) - [December 2016 (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2016/12) - [October 2018 (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2018/10) - [December 2018 (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2018/12) - [April 2019 (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2019/04) - [July 2019 (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2019/07) - [September 2019 (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2019/09) - [October 2020 (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2020/10) - [November 2020 (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2020/11) - [February 2021 (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2021/02) - [April 2022 (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2022/04) - [July 2022 (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2022/07) - [October 2022 (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2022/10) - [August 2023 (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2023/08) - [October 2023 (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2023/10) - [July 2025 (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2025/07) - [November 2025 (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2025/11) - [January 2026 (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/archive/2026/01) see all ### Categories - [Newsletter - TransActions (85)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/tag/newsletter-transactions) - [News (78)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/tag/news) - [Employee Spotlight (35)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/tag/employee-spotlight) - [Energy Use & Efficiency (28)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/tag/energy-use-efficiency) - [Energy, Reliability, and Security (18)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/tag/energy-reliability-and-security) - [Other Specialized Services (11)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/tag/other-specialized-services) - [Environment & Safety (10)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/tag/environment-safety) - [Power Supply (8)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/tag/power-supply) - [Transmission (8)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/tag/transmission) - [NERC (7)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/tag/nerc) - [Utility Rates (7)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/tag/utility-rates) - [Cyber Security (5)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/tag/cyber-security) - [Energy Supply (4)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/tag/energy-supply) - [Hi-Line: Utility Distribution Services (4)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/tag/hi-line-utility-distribution-services) - [Battery Energy Storage (3)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/tag/battery-energy-storage) - [Uncategorized (2)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/tag/uncategorized) - [Agriculture (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/tag/agriculture) - [Hi-Line: Seminars & Testing (1)](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/tag/hi-line-seminars-testing) see all ## PROVIDING SOLID ENGINEERING AND ENERGY CONSULTANT SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE U.S. and canada [Let's Talk!](https://www.gdsassociates.com/contact/) - MENU - [Home](https://www.gdsassociates.com/home/) - [Services](https://www.gdsassociates.com/services/) - [About](https://www.gdsassociates.com/energy-engineers-analysts/) - [Team](https://www.gdsassociates.com/energy-engineers-analysts/) - [News](https://blog.gdsassociates.com/) - [Careers](https://www.gdsassociates.com/energy-careers/) - [Contact](https://www.gdsassociates.com/contact/) #### CORPORATE OFFICE 1850 Parkway Place, Suite 800 Marietta, Georgia 30067 770.425.8100 ### SIGNUP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER - - - - GDS Associates, Inc Engineers & Consultants | 1850 Parkway Place, Suite 800, Marietta, GA 30067 | 770.425.8100 [Disclaimer](https://gdsassociates.com/disclaimer/) | [Terms & Conditions](https://gdsassociates.com/terms-conditions/) | [Privacy Policy](https://gdsassociates.com/privacy-policy/) | Copyright © 2021 All Rights Reserved. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "GDS Associates, Inc", "url" : "https://blog.gdsassociates.com/author/gds-associates-inc" }, "dateModified" : "2021-06-04T19:34:21.285Z", "datePublished" : "2020-06-04T04:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Prepare Your Water Utility for the Next Pandemic - GDS Associates, Inc", "image" : [ "https://blog.gdsassociates.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/GettyImages-497975685-water-worker-e1591290782958.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.gdsassociates.com/prepare-your-water-utility-for-the-next-pandemic", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.gdsassociates.com/hubfs/mod-logo-horizontal-brackishblue-1.png" }, "name" : "GDS Associates Inc" } } ```