TheCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with the American Water Works Association (AWWA), is the primary agency that publishes technical guidelines for hospital emergency water management.1Their seminal document, theEmergency Water Supply Planning Guide for Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities, provides a comprehensive roadmap for healthcare institutions to prepare for and respond to water supply interruptions.2

While CMS (Option C) mandates that hospitals have an emergency preparedness plan to maintain accreditation, they do not provide the granular technical guidance found in the CDC materials. The CDC guidelines focus on the public health implications of water loss, emphasizing the "four-step process" for developing an Emergency Water Supply Plan (EWSP): performing a water use audit, analyzing alternatives, developing the plan, and exercising it. These guidelines help hospitals calculate the minimum amount of water needed for patient care, sanitation, HVAC (chillers), and laundry during a crisis.

For the CEDP professional, the CDC’s water management guidelines are critical because a hospital cannot function without water for more than a few hours. The guidance includes specific advice on "Short-term" versus "Long-term" alternatives, such as using municipal backup lines, private wells, or tankered water. It also details the chemical and microbiological monitoring required when transitioning between water sources to prevent outbreaks of waterborne illnesses likeLegionella. By following CDC standards, disaster professionals ensure that even when the municipal grid fails, the clinical and life-support systems of the facility remain safe for patients and staff.