Disaster or No Disaster: Increase Utility Resilience and Understand FEMA's Mitigation Grant Programs and Upcoming NFIP Changes

With the frequency and intensity of natural disasters steadily increasing, the need for resilient water and wastewater infrastructure is greater than ever. Studies have demonstrated that mitigation may be the key to 'bending the curve' of increasing disaster costs. To encourage mitigation, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has increased mitigation funding programs, for both before and after a natural disaster, which can help utilities increase infrastructure resilience and better prepare for the next disaster. However, these programs are highly under-utilized by water and wastewater utilities. To incentivize mitigation, upcoming changes to the National Flood Insurance Program may increase premiums for high-risk facilities, while mitigation will be rewarded with financial credits. The upcoming changes will have a financial impact to communities and utilities based on their vulnerability to disaster. There are several steps that water and wastewater utilities can take to implement mitigation, apply for funding, and reduce insurance premiums.