SEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
(4102)
Washington, DC 20460
EPA 800-F-98-001
September 1998
Year 200
Water
Fact Sheet
IA1
is the problem? Most people have
heard that a major computer problem
is on the horizon for January 1 , 2000.
The issue is called Year 2000, Y2K,
or the "Millennium Bug."
Many computerized functions require
recognition of a specific year, day and
time, but most computers and
computerized equipment recognize
only the last two digits of a year's date
(i.e. 1998 is 98; 2000 is 00.)
Therefore, when the calendar changes to the year 2000, many computers and
equipment with embedded computer chips will have difficulty interpreting the correct
date; they may interpret the year to be 1 900 or some other year.
A number of things are likely to happen: some computers and equipment will "crash";
others will operate erroneously; others may simply stop and need to be restarted; some
may create data that looks correct but in reality contains errors; and some may
continue to operate correctly.
WHY is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerned? EPA's mission
includes helping to assure safe and clean water for all Americans. EPA does this
by providing technical assistance as well as other kinds of help to drinking water and
wastewater treatment plants, which are owned and operated by local government or
private utility companies.
Many of these plants operate with some level of computerization. Thus, monitoring,
operations and maintenance, communications, laboratory analysis and reporting are
areas that should be assessed for potential Year 2000 computer-related problems.
These types of problems could lead to permit violations.
EPA is helping local government and private utilities become aware of this potential
problem. It is important that utilities have an opportunity to make changes or
contingency plans that allow for "business as usual" on January 1 , 2000 and that these
utilities continue to protect public health and the environment.
is action needed? Time is running short. Action is required now.
If you are a drinking water or wastewater treatment plant owner or operator, you should
be aggressively acting now to protect your system from computer caused failures on
January 1 , 2000.
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should a utility address this problem? EPA recommends a six step approach to
help ensure normal operations on January 1, 2000.
AWARENESS - As Soon As Possible
First, owners and operators of drinking water and wastewater treatment plants,
and equipment manufacturers, communications and energy providers that
support them need to be made aware that the problem is pending. EPA is
working to distribute information through fact sheets, newsletters, conferences
and other channels, and invites others to help. Owners and operators may wish
to prepare for customer inquiries about the situation and what steps are being
taken to ensure continued high quality drinking water and wastewater.
ASSESSMENT - As Soon As Possible
Assessing the extent of the problem is the next step. Owners and operators
should locate and list all computerized equipment and equipment with embedded
computer chips in their systems and determine which are vulnerable. To begin
assessments, they can refer to equipment owners manuals and equipment
manufacturers, plus a general EPA checklist of potential trouble,spots, available
at www.epa.gov/year2000/ow.htm. '
CORRECTION - by 6/30/99
Once the problem areas have been identified, correction of the systems should
occur. This can involve modification, repair or replacement of systems or
components. There are diagnostic programs available as well as consulting
firms and computer specialists that can assist in making the necessary
corrections. Some of this information is also available on Year 2000 Websites.
CONTINGENCY PLANS - Draft by 6/30/99: Final by 9/30/99
As a back up measure, all systems should have a contingency plan to deal with
unforseen problems and emergencies. Among other things, these plans should
address how systems would be manually operated until the computerization
problems are resolved. These plans should be developed simultaneously with
the correction phase, and revised after the testing/validation phase.
TESTING/ VALIDATION - by 7/31/99
Running tests on the system to make sure the corrections fixed the problem is
the next step. These tests should be run as soon as possible after assessment
and correction in case additional changes need to be made. Independent
verification of the test may be appropriate in some cases.
IMPLEMENTATION -- by 9/30/99
Once the systems are readjusted to operate correctly, they should be retested
and revalidated. Then they are ready for implementation.
is help available? For further information and help, visit the EPA Year 2000
^k sjje gj vyww.epa.gov/year 2000/ow.htm. There you will find an EPA
checklist that can serve as a starting place for checking basic systems. Manufacturers
and industry experts can provide advice on specific systems. Other information is
posted there too.
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