This framework document is intended to better clarify the relationship among Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), Washington Department of Health (DOH) and Public Health-Seattle King County (PHSKC) with regard to the management and response to a potential or actual (confirmed) drinking water quality emergency in the Seattle regional or direct service areas. These agencies have a fundamental mission in protecting public health during these emergencies but each agency has a different role. Drinking water quality emergency response objectives include: protect health by making decisions based on the best information available; coordinate decision making and customer/media communications; and, establish guidelines among impacted agencies that includes roles, responsibilities and procedures. The paper also provides roles and responsibilities for each of the three agencies, coordinated roles/responsibilities, and emergency response notification steps in the event of an emergency.