Tips to Remember
When reporting an incident
• State the nature of the incident
• Identify yourself and your location
• Identify location of activity
• Describe any vehicle involved.
(color, make model, plate #)
• Describe the participants
(how many, sex, race, color of hair, height,
weight, clothing)
For Emergencies dial 911 or other local
emergency response numbers:
• State your business immediately
(Police-Fire-Ambulance)
• Give as accurate a description as possible
• Stay on the line until the 911 operator
disconnects you
After calling the local
emergency number,
call the appropriate local
water system contact.
Contacts
Name & Telephone
Local Emergency Response
Police:
91 lor others
State Drinking Water Program Contact:
o "a
Drinking Water Utility:
Wastewater Utility:
Others:
Tampering with public water supplies is a serious offense and
violators will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
For more information about water security,
visit EPA's website:
www.epa.gov/safewater/security
1 printed on 100% recycled paper, with a minimum of 50% post
consumer waste, using vegetable based inks
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
WATER WATCHERS
Helping to Protect Your
Local Water System
at reservoirs
at utilities
at water mains
WE'RE /.
THIS TOGETHER
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
EPA-901-F-03002
September 2003
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Water security:
Water Security is a shared responsibility involving
water suppliers, wastewater utilities, government, law
enforcement and citizens. We can all be involved in home-
land security by playing an important role in protecting our
critical water resources.
Problem:
Local drinking water and wasfawater systems may be
targets for terrorist and other would-be criminals wishing to
disrupt and cause harm to your community water supplies or
wastewaterfacilities.
Challenge:
Water utilities are often located in isolated areas.
Drinking water sources and wastewater collection systems
may cover large areas that are difficult to secure and patrol.
Solution:
Residents can be educated to notice and report any
suspicious activity, in and around local water utilities.
Interested and dedicated citizens are essential to increase the
security eyes and ears in your community.
Who Should get involved?
Any resident interested in protecting their water
resources and community as a whole can join together with
law enforcement, neighborhood watch groups, water
suppliers, wastewater operators, and other local public health
officials.
As a first step, you should consider introducing yourself
to the local drinking water supplier or wastewater operator.
You can provide them with your phone number and address,
and find out how you can get involved.
What Can You DoP
Form and operate a citizens watch network within
your community to communicate regularly with law
enforcement, your public water supplier and wastewater
operator. Communication is key to a safer community!
• Be alert.
Get to know your water/wastewater utilities, their
vehicles, routines and their personnel.
• Become aware of your surroundings.
This will help you to recognize suspicious activity as
opposed to normal daily activities.
Examples of suspicious
activity might include:
• People dumping or discharging material to a
water reservoir
• People climbing or cutting a utility fence
Unidentified truck or car parked or loitering near
waterways or facilities for no apparent reason
Suspicious opening or tampering of manhole covers,
building, or equipment
People on top of water tanks
People photographing or videotaping utility facilities,
structures or equipment
Strangers hanging around locks or gates
Do not confront strangers.
instead, report suspicious
activities to local authorities.
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