What should an operator do first if a treatment process failure occurs?

In the event of a treatment process failure, the priority is to ensure public health and safety. Thus, notifying local health authorities is essential because they need to be informed about any potential risks to the water supply that could affect the community. Prompt communication allows health authorities to assess the situation and advise on necessary actions to protect public health.

While conducting a root cause analysis is a critical step in understanding the failure and preventing future occurrences, this should follow the immediate notification to ensure that any public health risks are addressed first. Increasing chemical dosing without understanding the underlying issue could exacerbate the situation or create new problems, and shutting down the water treatment plant may not always be necessary or the first course of action. Each facility has protocols to follow, and ensuring that proper authorities are informed is a vital step in managing the risk associated with treatment failures.