AWWA WQTC71411

This paper discusses the growing risks/vulnerabilities of drinking water utilities to litigation. A utility can be a desireable high-profile prize to a lawyer because the rate-payer base represents a large ready-made class; and, the formation of a class with the potential for aggregate payout is a plaintiffs' lawyers dream come true. A utility can minimize its target potential by adopting and adhering to recognized Standards of Care (SOCs). The paper discusses SOCs, along with the role of forensics in utility operation, a series of class-action suits in California collectively referred to as "Hartwell", and "safe harbor" - civil immunity from tort liability for a water supplier that has not been found to be in significant noncompliance with drinking water standards.