&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Water Security Progress and Resources
Office of Water (4601M)
EPA817-F-03-001
www. epa.gov/safewater/security
October 2003
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
EPA's Water Security Division and its partners are working to improve the security of the
nation's drinking water and wastewater infrastructure by focusing on the development of tools,
training and technical assistance, information sharing, research, and technology development.
This document highlights accomplishments to date, projects underway, and resources available.
For more information visit www.epa.gov/safewater/security.
Training &
Financial
Assistance
Training and workshops,
water and wastewater
security protocols, and
direct and indirect
financial assistance to
State and local
government agencies.
Large Water Supply (Serving 100,000 Persons or More) Systems Grants
$51 million in assistance grants in 2002 to develop Vulnerability Assessments
Security Training and Tools
Since 2002, EPA supports trade organizations to develop security tools and provide
comprehensive security training to states, territories, tribes and water systems
Water Security Guide for Systems Serving 3,300 people or Fewer
Will provide security guidance to drinking water managers and operators
National Rural Water Association Technical Assistance Grant
Provide technical security assistance to small drinking water systems
Grants to States and Territories for Coordination Activities
Funding for coordination activities among state, territorial and local water managers,
homeland security and other emergency response officials
Train-the-Trainer Grants
Grants to training organizations to build their capacity to support water utilities in
their security activities
Security Training for Medium-Size Community Drinking Water Systems
Funding to ICMA and WEF in 2003 to provide free assistance on Vulnerability
Assessments
Technology
Development
Development of testing
programs, computer
models, and interactive
databases to assist local
utilities and assistance
providers.
Environmental Technology Verification Program
Reviews new water security monitoring, treatment, and decontamination technologies
Water Security Research & Technical Assistance Action Plan
Identifies research and technical needs for drinking water and wastewater security
PipelineNet and RiverSpill Models
Developed and pilot-tested computer models to understand fate and transport of
contaminants
Water Contaminants Information Tool
Developing tool to integrate information on biological and chemical contaminants
Analytical Methods
Developing laboratory analytical methods relevant to water security, and creating a
system to aid in applying these methods to known or unknown water contaminants
Laboratory Capabilities Compendium
Developing information on laboratories capable of analyzing water for contamination
Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (WaterlSAC)
Secure Internet portal to provide sensitive information on security threats and incidents
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Emergency
Response
Planning and
preparing for a
contamination
threat or terrorist
event.
Emergency Response Planning Workshops for Large Drinking Water Systems
Fall 2003 workshops provided an overview of security requirements, emergency
response planning, and new tools available to water utilities
Response Protocol Toolbox for Contaminant Threats
Will provide guidance to utilities in responding to water contamination threats
Workshops and Drills on Emergency Response
Planning workshops and exercises for a variety of emergency responders
Law Enforcement Outreach and Training
Initiative to strengthen the emergency response ties between water suppliers and
law enforcement
Emergency Response Planning Guidance
Specialized guidance for drinking water utilities to meet requirements of the Public
Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002
Incorporate
Security
into
Business
as Usual
Initiatives aimed at
making security a
standard business
practice.
Capacity Development
Initiative to link and utilize state capacity development programs with drinking
water security
Financing Security Enhancements
Identify options to improve security at utilities, fund security enhancements
Sanitary Surveys
Developed security elements and training on incorporating security into sanitary
surveys
Environmental Law Institute (ELI) Research Project
Developed report that assesses legislation, activities, and coordination needs at all
levels of government
Optimization of Water Treatment
Initiative to link Area-Wide Optimization Program with water security
improvements
Physical Security Standards Development
Partnering with a non-profit organization to develop voluntary physical security
standards
Operator Certification
Partnering with a non-profit organization to develop security certification for water
plant operators
Environmental Management Systems
Incorporate security functions into process management programs at utilities
L
Available Water Security Resources
All of these products or links to them are available online at www.epa.gov/safewater/security,
or contact the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791
Model for Emergency Response Guidlines
Guidance document for drinking and wastewater systems on notification protocols
and response actions
Vulnerability Assessment Methodology for Drinking Water Utilities
Risk Assessment framework Methodology for Water Utilities (RAM-W) by
American Water Works Association Research Foundation and Sandia National
Laboratory
Vulnerability Assessment Methodology for Wastewater
Vulnerability Self Assessment Tool (VSAT) developed by the Association of Metropolitan
Sewerage Agencies for water, wastewater, and combined water/wastewater utilities
Protecting Your Community's Assets: Small Wastewater Systems
Guide to help wastewater utility managers improve security
Vulnerability Assessment Tool For Small Drinking Water Systems
National Rural Water Association guide for small drinking water systems
Security Product Guide
This guide series provides information to treatment plant operators and utility
managers regarding products and tools that enhance both physical and cyber
security and monitoring for contaminants
Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (WaterlSAC)
Secure Internet portal to help providers protect consumers and the environment
Research on State Information Protection Laws
National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) study on the States' ability to
protect sensitive information, available from the NCSL
Compliance Instructions for Water Suppliers
Helps water suppliers with the certification of Vulnerability Assessments and
Emergency Response Plans, and submission of Vulnerability Assessments
Physician On-Line Reference Guide for Waterborne Disease
Website to help health care providers recognize and manage waterborne diseases
Other Resources
Water Security Flyers
Emblems of water security available by download and hard copy
Water Watchers Brochure
Simple actions citizens can take to be a partner in their communities' security
Law Enforcement Top 10 List
Visor card and flyer often water supply preparedness and security principles
designed to aid law enforcement in assissting with water utility security efforts
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