The Corps of Engineers, within specific guidelines, is authorized to provide emergency water assistance to any community confronted with water supply problems associated with drought conditions or a contaminated source.  The intent of the emergency water program is to provide temporary emergency water assistance to meet minimum public health, safety, and welfare requirements.  Water assistance for livestock, industrial use, irrigation, and recreation are not within the scope of Corps’ authorities.  Assistance is limited to 30 days, or until the Federal Emergency Management Agency undertakes the provision of emergency water under its own authorities, whichever is earlier.

DROUGHT ASSISTANCE

Corps’ assistance is temporary and supplemental to tribal, state, and local efforts. Long-term solutions to water supply problems remain the responsibility of tribal, state, and local interests.

Type of Drought Assistance Provided by the Corps

• Transportation of water to local distribution points, for human consumption/usage.
• Sale of water from Corps’ Reservoirs that is deemed surplus.
• Construction of wells on a reimbursable basis, if commercial or other sources cannot construct them within a reasonable time.
• Temporary connection of new supply to existing system.
• Installation of temporary filtration.
• Use of military units with purification/storage/distribution capability.

Criteria for Drought Assistance

• Written request from the governor or tribal representative.
• The area is drought-distressed and found to have an inadequate water supply which is causing, or is likely to cause, substantial threat to the health and welfare of the inhabitants of the area.
• Immediate need exists which cannot be met using available resources, conservation measures, prioritization, or other modifications.
• State/local government, or tribe, has developed a long-term solution that can be implemented expeditiously.
• A Cooperation Agreement has been signed and all necessary easements and rights-of-way have been provided.

CONTAMINATED WATER ASSISTANCE

The Corps of Engineers is authorized to provide clean water to communities with contaminated water supplies that represent a substantial threat to the public health and welfare. Contamination may have resulted from deliberate, accidental or natural events, including flooding.

Type of Contaminated Water Assistance Provided by the Corps

• Purchase of water.
• Provide water tank trucks to haul water from a safe source to local distribution points.
• Delivery of bulk or bottled water to local distribution points.
• Temporary connection of new supply to existing system.
• Installation of temporary filtration.
• Use of military units with purification/storage/distribution capability.

Criteria for Contaminated Water Assistance

• Written request from the governor or tribal representative.
• A determination of contamination has been made by an appropriate agency.
• Immediate need exists which cannot be met using available resources, conservation measures, prioritization, or other modifications.
• State/local government, or tribe, has developed a long-term solution that can be implemented expeditiously.
• A Cooperation Agreement has been signed and all necessary easements and rights-of-way have been provided.

How to Request Assistance:

Submit your request through the local-county-state emergency management chain.  Tribes have the option of contacting the Corps directly (using the contact information located in the column to the right and on our main page), or coordinating their request with the state or the Bureau of Indian Affairs.