Emergency Operations

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is the regulatory authority over the public water supply. They work with Public Water Authorities (PWA) across the state to ensure water is safe to drink and potable. In the event the DEQ or PWA issues a Mandatory Boil Order or Precautionary Boil Advisory, the DEQ has determined the water is not safe to drink.

Legally, the PWA must notify each customer using their public water system. This may be by phone, fliers, postings or media. 

This is important for the licensed food establishments to recognize such a notice. The local county health department will work to remind licensed food establishments of their requirement and responsibility outlined in the Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) to operate with potable water:

• OAC 310:257-1-2 
• OAC 310:257-9-1 
• OAC 310:257-9-4
• OAC 310:257-7-110
• OAC 310:257-15-32
• OAC 310:257-17-2

Failing to operate with potable water may result in a disease outbreak, an imminent health hazard, violations against the establishment or a possible cease and desist order.

Below are some tools and templates to help you identify sources of water that must be addressed and planned for if DEQ or the PWA issues a boil order or advisory.

• Emergency Operations Procedure Questionnaire – this form may be used to pre-identify and plan for all sources of water that may be affected during a water crisis
• Unsafe Water Supply Checklist – this form is a checklist to help identify operations that require potable water

If you have questions about the safety of your water or when the water is potable following a water crisis. Please contact the Department of Environmental Quality or your local Public Water Authority.

• Emergency Action Plan for Retail Food Establishments

Per OAC 310:257-15-32, the licensed establishment has the responsibility to cease operations and report if an imminent health hazard exists:

310:257-15-32. Ceasing operations and reporting  

(a) Except as specified in (b) of this Section, a license holder shall immediately discontinue operations and notify the regulatory authority if an imminent health hazard exists because of an emergency such as a fire, flood, sewage backup, no hot water in the facility, insufficient refrigeration and/or hot food storage facilities available, substantial evidence or presence of a large number of insects or evidence of rodents in food or on food preparation surfaces, interruption of safe potable water supply to the facility, misuse of poisonous or toxic materials, onset of an apparent foodborne illness outbreak, interruption of electrical service for more than 4 hours, severe structural damage in the facility, an employee working with a Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli 0157:H7 or Hepatitis A infection, gross unsanitary occurrence or condition, or other circumstance as determined by the Commissioner of Health, or his designee, that shall endanger public health.

(b) A license holder need not discontinue operations in an area of an establishment that is unaffected by the imminent health hazard.

Notification may be a call or email to the local county health department during business hours. Or at any time, including after hours, a simple email may be sent to CHSLicensing@health.ok.gov. Please include in all notices, the name and license number of the establishment, the county and address, and a brief overview of the issue.

Oklahoma has its fair share of natural disasters and setting the bar high for the Oklahoma Standard, people want to help. For those donating food, the following sites should be reviewed to recognize standards, liability and training opportunities.

• Section 5.6 of Title 76 Oklahoma State Statutes
• Oklahoma Administrative Code Title 310: Chapter 257 Food Service Establishment Regulations 
• 42 U.S.C., Section 1791 Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act
• Oklahoma State University's Robert S. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center

• FDA Food and Water Safety During Power Outages and Floods 
• FDA Guidance for Industry: Use of water by Food Manufacturers in Areas Subject to a Boil-Water Advisory 
• CDC Drinking Water Advisory Communication Toolbox 
• EPA Drinking Water Contaminants