&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 ------- 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 ------- |