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ASPA emergency coronavirus plan for Energy and Water Security and Uninterrupted Waste Water and Solid Waste Services

ASPA have prepared an emergency plan, comprised of alternatives that are designed to ensure ongoing operations at strategically important facilities in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak in the territory. The emergency plan is designed to offer maximum COVID-19 protection to personnel, especially staff employed at power stations, power distribution, water and waste water facilities and posts. The plan includes three alert levels, Code Blue, Code Yellow and Code Red. Preventive disinfection operations are being carried out at all ASPA facilities. Emphasis are placed at power stations, sewer treatment plants, water wells and booster stations and the Futiga landfill. The plan also includes shift replacements, personnel transfers and lockdowns in the event the COVID-19 virus spreads within utility ranks; the plan also includes secluded on-site accommodation for personnel at power stations and sewer treatment plants. Online preparations are also being made to enable main office-based personnel to work from home should an outbreak occur. ASPA maintains an adequate inventory of materials and spare parts for all utilities but had started doubling some of its orders beginning in February 2020. Customers are encouraged to pay their bills on line and to avoid visiting ASPA offices and facilities. Overall, preventive measures promoted by the Department of Health, EOC and Homeland Security are being implemented.
The Governor’s Declaration effective Monday March 23, 2020 shall be enforced. Code Blue ASPA shall enforce Code Blue Requirements as described in the Governor’s Declaration. ASPA shall continue to scan all employees reporting to work each morning - for high temperature (fever). Any employee detected with a temperature higher than 100.4 deg. F shall be denied entry into ASPA offices and facilities. Any employee showing symptoms of the COVID-19 shall also be denied entry into ASPA offices and facilities.
ASPA shall continue to disinfect all water supplies. Sodium Hypochlorite dosage levels will increased gradually by 10 to 15%. ASPA maintains a two months supply of Sodium Hypochlorite on-island, but the Utility have doubled its orders going forward. Sodium Hypochlorite kills the Corona viruses. ASPA shall continue UV disinfection of waste water effluent at its Utulei and Fogagogo treatment plants. Up to 60% of people infected with COVID-19 experience diarrhea and the virus have been detected in some sewer systems. UV disinfection is a physical process that instantaneously neutralizes microorganisms as they pass by ultraviolet lamps submerged in the effluent. UV light neutralizes the Coronavirus. ASPA maintains adequate stocks of power generation and transmission & distribution materials and spare parts in its warehouses. Current stocks will cover the Power Division’s needs for the next 12 months. The delivery for 6,000 LED street light fixtures will be delayed due the factory shutdowns related to the Coronavirus. ASPA also maintains adequate stocks of water and wastewater materials and parts in its warehouses. Current stocks for the Water and Wastewater utilities is adequate for next 3 months. New orders are on the way and additional orders are in process. ASPA maintains adequate numbers of mobile communication radios for its first responders and essential workers. Code Yellow
ASPA shall enforce Code Yellow requirements as described in the Governor’s Declaration. ASPA shall continue to scan all employees reporting to work each morning, for high temperature (fever). Any employee with a temperature higher than 100.4 deg. F shall be denied entry into ASPA offices and facilities. Any employee showing symptoms of the Coronavirus shall also be denied entry into ASPA offices and facilities. ASPA shall continue to disinfect all water supplies; Sodium Hypochlorite dosage levels will be increased gradually by 10 to 15%. ASPA shall continue to double its orders for Sodium Hypochlorite until further notice. Sodium Hypochlorite kills the Corona viruses. ASPA shall continue UV disinfection of waste water effluent at its Utulei and Fogagogo treatment plants. Up to 60% of people infected with COVID-19 experience diarrhea and the virus have been detected in some sewer systems. UV disinfection is a physical process that instantaneously neutralizes microorganisms as they pass by ultraviolet lamps submerged in the effluent. UV light neutralizes the Coronavirus.

All ASPA Divisions, Departments and Crews shall be placed on two week work schedules. (Two weeks on and two weeks off). For now employees on two weeks off shall use Annual Leave or Sick Leave to cover their absence. ASPA shall advance up to 30 days or 6 weeks of Sick Leave ( as per ASAC Title 4, 4.206 Sick Leave), to employees who are in need of additional sick leave or who are quarantined or sick due to the COVID-19 virus. All ASPA employees shall continue to be paid 80 hours per pay-period. Code Red ASPA shall enforce Code Red Requirements as described in the Governor’s Declaration. Only Plant Operators, First Responders and Essential Employees shall be required to work. ASPA’s Satala and Tafuna power plants and the two Wastewater treatment plants at Utulei and Fogagogo shall be on LOCKDOWN. Plant workers shall not be allowed to exit the plant during the lockdown period. (Two and four week schedules). Entry to these facilities will be denied to all visitors and non- essential ASPA employees. Up to three (3) months of food and water is currently stored at ASPA’s Tafuna Warehouse for the Lockdown. Showers and eating facilities are already in place at the lockdown locations. Beddings are currently been procured.

ASPA will advance up to 30 days or 6 weeks sick leave (as per, ASAC Title 4, 4.206 Sick Leave), to employees who are in need of additional sick leave or who are quarantined or sick due to the COVID-19 virus. Additional advance SL and AL shall be granted if required.
ASPA shall make every effort to pay all its employees 80 hours per pay-period for any extended period during an Coronavirus outbreak in the Territory.