Sewer district joins statewide network

The Minden-Gardnerville Sanitation District, whose plant is located in Minden, has joined a statewide mutual aid group, Nevada Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network.

The network is designed to help member agencies increase emergency planning and coordination, enhance access to specialized resources, and expedite the arrival of aid in the event of a local or regional water or wastewater emergency.

"We're pleased the sanitation district has taken the progressive step to help ensure adequate response in the event of an emergency in their respective communities," said network Chairman Kevin Fisher. "Our goal is to have all of the state's 200 water and wastewater agencies become members. In that way, the residents of Nevada can be assured that their local utility has access to statewide support if needed to respond to an emergency."

The network is a Web-based resource, Fisher said. Member agencies list their equipment and trained personnel on the Web site.

If an agency experiences a local emergency and doesn't have the resources to respond adequately, they can turn to the network to learn what resources are available from other members, and then request assistance.

There is no cost to join the group.

In the case of Hurricane Katrina and other disasters, the request for assistance from neighboring utilities was held up for months before it could be made available. "With the NvWARN program, the delay may be no more than a few hours," Fisher said.

The network is one of more than 20 statewide organizations that have been created since Hurricane Katrina two years ago.

The formation of similar organizations to the one in Nevada is being encouraged by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and has the state support of the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection.