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Clayton joins NC WaterWARN mutual-aid network to bolster water and wastewater emergency response
Summary
Council approved a resolution to join the NC Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (NC WaterWARN), providing the town access to statewide mutual-aid personnel, equipment and a seat at the state emergency operations center during declared disasters.
James Blaylock, assistant water resources director, asked the council to authorize Clayton’s participation in NC WaterWARN, a voluntary statewide water/wastewater mutual-aid network, and the council adopted the resolution on May 20.
Blaylock said NC WaterWARN — created in February 2008 and, as of May 12, composed of 42 members statewide — provides a framework for requesting and receiving personnel, equipment and materials during emergencies and large incidents. "This will give us added benefit to get the support that we need or help others," Blaylock said, noting the network also tracks requests for reimbursement in declared disasters.
Blaylock described recent network activity during Hurricane Helene: NC WaterWARN handled 44 requests for service and carried out more than 70 missions, helping some systems return to service within two weeks after catastrophic infrastructure loss. He also said Clayton water resources staff have completed FEMA incident-command training (ICS 100, 200, 700 and 800) and that joining the network aligns with work to update continuity-of-operations plans and incident-response procedures.
Council action and implementation
Council adopted Resolution 2025-31 authorizing the town manager or designee to execute the NC WaterWARN memorandum of agreement. Blaylock emphasized the membership requires no town funding and that participation grants Clayton access to specialized operators and equipment that are difficult to source in an emergency. Staff said membership also provides the town with a seat at the state emergency operations center when the network coordinates response efforts.
Next steps
Staff will execute the MOA as authorized and integrate NC WaterWARN procedures into the town’s emergency-management framework, and staff may participate in future WaterWARN drills and training offered by the program.
