What additional role must operators ensure during emergencies in a water distribution system?

In emergencies within a water distribution system, operators must prioritize the availability of adequate amounts of water and pressure. This is crucial because emergencies can arise from events such as natural disasters, infrastructure failures, or contamination incidents, all of which can compromise the supply and quality of water for public use.

Ensuring sufficient water flow and pressure is vital for both firefighting efforts and for maintaining service to customers. Firefighting requires high pressure and volume to effectively extinguish flames, while residential and commercial users need access to safe drinking water and operational water for sanitation and other essential functions.

While public relations, audits, and billing adjustments may be relevant in the overall management of a water utility, they become secondary to the primary operational imperative during an emergency. The main focus during such times should always be the immediate provision of safe and sufficient water supplies to protect public health and safety.