My apologies to Mr. Flint for starting a new thread on the same subject. I was perusing the AWWA site and came up with a few interesting items.

Fair use for informational purposes and whatever else:

Public Affairs Advisory What's New ------------------------------------------------------------------------ TO:AWWA Leadership All UtilitiesFROM:Jack HoffbuhrDATE:September 14, 1999 Who:USA TODAY What:Roundtable on Y2K Preparedness When:September 22, 1999

On September 16, USA Today will convene a roundtable discussion involving representatives from a number of societal sectors to discuss the nation's state of readiness for the Y2K computer glitch. On behalf of water providers, AWWA has submitted responses to 13 questions posed by USA Today reporters about the drinking water community's Y2K preparations. Portions of these responses are expected to appear in the Wednesday, September 22 edition of the paper. USA Today's questions and AWWA's responses follow this advisory.

AWWA's responses are based primarily upon the findings of a survey it conducted in conjunction with the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) and the National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) in June of this year. Although the information in the survey is valuable and provides a gauge on where the drinking water community stands presently in preparing for the Y2K crisis, the fact remains that only 20 percent of all water suppliers who received the survey responded to it. Had more water suppliers participated in the survey, AWWA would have been able to present one of the nation's largest and most widely read newspapers with a more accurate depiction of water suppliers' Y2K preparedness.

Public documentation of Y2K efforts is important to water suppliers for a number of reasons. First, the survey findings reveal that water suppliers are working diligently to prepare for Y2K and doing a very effective job of keeping their customers informed of their work. Water suppliers deserve recognition for their good work, but it will go unnoticed unless they take the time to provide public information about it. In addition, the drinking water community will benefit from revealing its openness, responsiveness to consumers and dedication to service to the general public.

Second, publicizing individual efforts to prepare for Y2K problems will protect water suppliers from U.S Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) intervention if regulatory violations occur as a result of Y2K testing. In November 1998, USEPA released its Y2K Enforcement Policy, which announced that USEPA intended to waive all civil liability and recommend against any criminal prosecution for any environmental problems stemming from Y2K related testing. The USEPA Y2K Enforcement Policy can be viewed on the USEPA website.

Finally, by providing more public information about their readiness, water suppliers can help keep consumers calm. AWWA expects interest in Y2K preparations to continue growing as 1999 comes to a close, and the most effective means of preventing unnecessary panic by citizens and businesses is to maintain a steady flow of information about Y2K readiness. There are a number of ways water suppliers can present this information to the pubic, none more simple than providing a summary of their Y2K status in their 1999 Consumer Confidence Report. AWWA also recommends its members issue status reports via bill stuffers, utility web pages, presentations/public meetings, and outreach to local media.

USA Today's article clearly evidences the public's continuing interest in the Y2K issue, and the need for water suppliers to better acquaint the public with their preparations. As such, AWWA strongly encourages its members to participate in the AWWA/AMWA/NAWC survey. Interested water suppliers can do so by downloading the survey from AWWA's Y2K survey webpage. Completed surveys should be returned via mail to:

American Water Works Association 6666 West Quincy Avenue Denver, CO 80235 Attention: Jon DeBoer

Public Affairs Advisory What's New

------------------------------------------------------------------------ TO:AWWA Leadership All UtilitiesFROM:Jack HoffbuhrDATE:December 10, 1999 Who:Natural Resources Defense Council/ Center for Y2K & Society What:Report on Water Utilities' Y2K Readiness When:December 10, 1999

Today, USA Today ran a front-page story on a report issued by the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Center for Y2K & Society that questioned water utilities' Y2K preparedness. The NRDC report speculates that "only 20 percent to 45 percent of drinking water systems were Y2K compliant as of June 1999." The article can be viewed on the USA Today website:

www.usatoday.com/usatonline/19991210/1743752s.htm

The report, entitled Y2K Risks in the Water Industry, can be viewed over the internet at:

www.y2kcenter.org/resources/centerpubs/Y2Kwater.pdf.

This finding is contrary to the survey conducted by AWWA, the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies and the National Association of Water Companies, which found that 92.5% of water utilities Y2K compliant infrastructures by May of 1999. The survey also found that over 80% had contingency plans in place by that time. The most recent information about the water profession's Y2K preparedness can be viewed at:

http://www.awwa.org/y2k07.htm

AWWA has been in contact with the Associated Press, Reuters, CBS News and MSNBC about this story and has issued a press release reemphasizing the water profession's Y2K readiness. The release follows this advisory. AWWA strongly recommends that its utility members be prepared to discuss their Y2K preparation efforts with the media and consumers. Members should also be prepared to discuss their staffing plans for New Year's Eve as well as their contingency plans if Y2K glitches cause a power outage or a computer breakdown.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 10, 1999 CONTACT: Doug Marsano (303)347-6138

Water Utilities Fully Prepared for Y2K Contingency planning for emergencies nothing new for water suppliers

(Denver, Colorado) The American Water Works Association (AWWA) today reemphasized that its member utilities will provide safe, clean drinking water on January 1, 2000. AWWA's 4,200 utility members provide the nation with 67 percent of its tap water.

"Water utilities have long realized that their consumers must have access to safe drinking water regardless of problems outside the water plant," said Jack Hoffbuhr, AWWA Executive Director. "Unlike Y2K, hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes and other natural disasters don't give a water utility notice of their arrival. That's why contingency planning has been a standing AWWA policy for over 25 years."

"Water utilities have to be prepared for the kind of glitches and power outages that some forecast for Y2K on a daily basis. That's why over 90% of our members were fully Y2K compliant five months ago," added Hoffbuhr.

etc...etc.....already posted. Now for some "old news" - I thought interesting.

This is an article from "AWWA Main Stream" a publication for and about AWWA members dated 7/13/99:

Optimism but no guarantees for Y2K rollover

Many water utility professionals who have been working on the computer and operations issues associated with the year 2000 dont expect a midnight disaster on New Years Eve. Rather presenters and attendees at a recent workshop on business continuity and Y2K issues expect only intermittent problems. The Y2K problem will show up as little things incrementally over the two to three months following New Years, predicted Marty Chakoian, director of the Seattle Public Utilities Y2K project office. His assessment was echoed by other water professionals in attendance, who see the most likely scenario to be rolling blackouts. Although the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power will have 30 water tankers dispersed throughout the city, I fully expect to water flowers with those tankers, said Marty Adams, year 2000 water system contingency planning coordinator for the agency. Backing up the general consensus was the report from the Presidents Council on Year 2000 Conversion. Randy Goss, director of the Austin (Texas) Water and Wastewater Utility and an advisor to the council, assessed Y2K status in the United States. Although the water and wastewater utility sector did not have as complete information to present the council and Congress as other critical industries, Goss expressed cautious optimism ... because most utilities have the capability to convert to manual operation. The good news for many utilities is the raw water quality is good and the demand is low in December, and many systems are gravity-fed, requiring little pumping. The bad news could be bad weather, especially in northern, colder areas. Still no one wanted to ignore the possibility of bigger problems, and many utilities plan to deploy their field crews and emergency centers New Years Eve in case of spot troubles. The Y2K managers hope it will only be a new twist on the First Night parties.

And finally, an excerpt from "AWAW Mainstream" July 27, 1999 commenting on their latest survey. Notice the number of questionaires sent and the number responding. Could this be where USA Today came up with 20% as a baseline number?

"The survey was a joint project of AWWA, the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, and the National Association of Water Companies. Questionnaires were sent to the 4,369 utility members of the organizations. More than 600 utilities replied to the survey; however, nearly 150 of the responses could not be used in the data analysis because of missing information. The survey team is following up with phone calls and letters to increase the response rate. Although about 20 percent of the utilities in the baseline survey conducted a year ago responded725 utilities out of 3,500 contacteda Government Accounting Office report released in April criticized the lack of more complete information about the status of Y2K readiness of water and wastewater utilities. Actually, 20 percent is a very high response rate for a voluntary survey, said DeBoer, especially when you consider that utilitieslike other businessesare being bombarded with inquiries and surveys from customers, vendors, regulators, and other interested parties about Y2K issues. The survey and analytical summary is available on AWWAs Y2K Web page, .

Mary A. Parmelee

Copyright 1999 by AWWA. Quotation or reproduction of AWWA MainStream articles not permitted without permission (See copyright permission information).

And finally, an excerpt from their July 1999 report:

Results of a Survey by AWWA, AMWA,NAWC Preliminary Report July 16, 1999

A follow-up survey by AMWA (Association of Metropolitan Water (snip) Readers should be aware that in April 1999, the General Accounting Office (GAO) of the United States issued a report entitled Year 2000 Computing Crisis, Status of the Water Industry. This report was critical of the depth of knowledge of the readiness of water utilities, particularly when compared to electric and gas utilities. The report identified several key shortfalls, including a limited response to the industry association survey (725 out of 3500 faxed surveys), lack of regulatory authority to mandate Y2K readiness reporting, and lack of time to prepare such authority. While it can be debated that a response of 20 % is inadequate, it is actually a very high response rate for a voluntary survey, delivered by fax, to a group of organizations being bombarded with surveys and questionnaires from vendors, customers, regulators, and other interested parties.

It is in this light that the three associations have attempted to fill in some of the data gaps. For the June 1999 survey, follow-up phone calls to non-respondents will be made, attempting to solicit additional response. However, since this is a voluntary survey of many large and small water utilities, it is not sensible to anticipate anything close to 100 % participation. When compared to a small collection of very large utilities, such as those that exist in the railroad, electric and gas areas, greater response may be expected. For many smaller utilities, responding to surveys is not viewed as a priority item among all the competing demands for the time and resources of the limited staff available. In addition, many utilities have responded with the same standard letter they provide to all requests for Y2K information. Since these letters are all different, and cannot be incorporated into the database developed for this survey, they are counted as responding, but not providing the required information. Those fax responses that were spoiled or were incomplete have also been counted, although these utilities have been contacted in an attempt to get a complete response.

I am not feeling AWWA Calm.

If I am misinterpreting this information from AWWA, Mr. Flint, hence my discomfort, please correct me.

-- Casey DeFranco (caseyd@silcom.com), December 13, 1999