SECTION 165:65-9-2.1. Restoration of service

  This Section establishes general parameters to ensure timely communication to the Commission, of the utility's implementation of its restoration of service plan, following an unplanned service interruption. Each water utility shall have a written restoration of service policy/plan, which shall include a communication plan to be followed during unplanned or emergency interruptions, with a current copy on file with the Commission's CSD Director and the Commission's Emergency Liaison. No later than September 30 of each year, this policy shall be reviewed by the utility at least annually and updated as deemed necessary and appropriate. A statement detailing all changes from the previous edition shall be filed with the Commission and included at the front of the policy on file. Each water utility shall provide and keep current, the phone number of any 24 hour emergency operations center or a list with a minimum of two individuals with 24-hour contact numbers to the Commission's CSD Director and the Commission's Emergency Liaison. The following items are guidelines to be addressed in the policy:

(1)   Assessment of the extent of the service interruption and what resources (equipment, materials, and labor) will be required to restore service. The utility should also attempt to determine the number of customers affected and the geographic extent of the service interruption.

(2)   Determination as to whether or not the service restoration can be accomplished by use of in-house personnel only, or if contractors (personnel obtained from other utilities or third-party entities) will be required. The objective is to have service restored as soon as possible.

(3)   Identification of priorities for service restoration, based upon emergency needs and upon ease of restoration for the greatest number of consumers for the least expenditure of money, time and effort. Priority shall be given to any life-threatening situations known or discovered during restoration of service.

(4)   Once water to installations affected with the interest of public health and safety has been restored (such as hospitals, fire and police departments, and 911 centers), service shall be restored to schools as quickly as feasible, during such time of the year that school is in session.

(5)   Attempted notification of high-priority customers or major water consuming facilities who are affected by the service outage, when possible. Radio and/or television should be utilized to notify larger numbers of customers as to the type of service outage, extent of the service outage, and the expected time to restore service. Other means of notification may also be utilized, so long as the result is mass notification on an efficient, effective, and timely basis.

(6)   Commission notification through the CSD Director and the Commission's Emergency Liaison to implement the process outlined in paragraphs A through C below. The Commission notification process to the designated CSD individual(s) and the Commission's Emergency Liaison may be accomplished by one or more of the following methods: business telephone and/or e-mail address during the business hours of 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or emergency cellular telephone number after normal business hours, weekends and holidays. The notification shall consist of the following:

(A)   An initial contact to notify Staff of outages which involve a major utility substation or facility, may cause a high degree of public interest or concern, or which have a duration of four (4) hours or more and involve one percent (1%) or fifty (50) customers or more, whichever is greater, of the utility's meter count.

(B)   Intermediate contact to provide status reports, as deemed necessary by the utility, or as may be requested by Commission Staff.

(C)   A conclusory contact detailing the results and completion of the restoration of service plan implementation.

[Source: Added at 23 Ok Reg 1681, eff 7-1-06; Amended at 31 Ok Reg 1091, eff 9-12-14; Amended at 36 Ok Reg 718, eff 7-25-19]