Community-Based
Water Resiliency
Electronic Tool
The CBWR electronic tool is a CD-based
tool that will help communities begin to
build their own unique CBWR program.
The main component is a self-assessment
tool to assist users with the steps involved
with implementing a CBWR initiative.
This self-assessment culminates in a
summary report, providing stakeholders
with an evaluation of their emergency
preparedness and recommendations
and tools for launching a water resiliency
program in their community.
The CBWR electronic tool also includes
guidance on how to identify critical water
users in a community and suggestions
for engaging them in the design and
implementation of CBWR efforts.
Contact Us:
Additional information on
EPA's CBWR Initiative is available at
http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/watersecurity
For additional information, please contact:
WSD-outreach@epa.gov
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United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Community-Based
Water Resiliency
Initiative
Water Preparedness
Reliable drinking water and wastewater
services are critical to communities,
for consumption as well as to support
delivery of other critical services; such as
healthcare, transportation, and energy.
In the event of a water service disruption,
the health of a community, and the
continuity of the many services a
community provides, may be jeopardized.
To reduce these risks, and their ensuing
impacts, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) developed a holistic,
community-wide approach to water
infrastructure protection. Referred to as the
Community-Based Water Resiliency (CBWR)
Initiative, this effort focuses on identifying
and developing a suite of tools and resources
that can be successfully implemented by
water utility owners/operators and the local
communities they serve.
CBWR tools can be implemented at the local
level, by local officials, and with only minimal
financial investment.
Office of Water (4608-T)
http://water.epa.gov/
EPA 817-K-10-001
August 2010
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Water Sector Critical Interdependencies
Water infrastructure is designated by the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) as one of eighteen critical infrastructures.
While all other sectors rely on the nation's water infrastructure to
function, the critical interdependences between sectors are often
not well understood or appreciated.
Damage to water infrastructure has the potential to adversely affect
the operation of all other critical infrastructure sectors, including
energy, transportation, and public health; and, as such, protecting
water infrastructure is imperative.
Benefits of Implementing
a CBWR Program in Your
Community
Implementing a CBWR program can garner
multiple benefits to your community's ability to
plan, prepare, respond to and recover from water
service disruptions. CBWR enables communities to:
• Recognize the effects of water service
disruptions on critical community services;
• Understand how to integrate the effects of water
service disruptions into emergency planning;
• Increase preparedness and resiliency of drinking
water and wastewater utilities; and
• Incorporate security and climate ready practices
into current operational practices.
CBWR Offers a
Community-Wide
Approach to Preparedness
Unlike many water protective programs, water
utility owners/operators are not solely responsible
for implementing CBWR. This effort can also be
initiated by:
• Emergency Responders (e.g. fire and police
departments)
• Public works officials
• City/county managers
• Commissioners
• Council members
• Members of the public
• Key businesses and services (e.g., hospitals, food
processing plants, etc.)
Communication and collaboration between these
key stakeholders will work most effectively to
enhance water resiliency.
Steps to Implementing a
CBWR Program
Implementing a CBWR program is easy-to-do,
especially with the many tools and resources
available. Steps include:
• Identifying community-specific goals and
objectives to enhance water resiliency;
• Identifying specific deliverables needed to
achieve project goals and objectives;
• Identifying and engaging potential
implementation partners;
• Estimating resources and time needed to
develop and implement the overarching
project and key deliverables; and
• Identifying options for securing resources.
Tools and Resources to
Assist with Implementing
a CBWR Program
Tools and resources are available both online
and on a self-launching CD, and include:
• CBWR Web site
• Roadmap to Water Resiliency for Local
Communities
• Suite of fact sheets and posters highlighting
water sector interdependencies with various
other critical infrastructures
• Customizable outreach materials for use by
local officials in developing, implementing,
and marketing CBWR efforts
• Outreach efforts to promote CBWR initiative
(e.g., presentations, workshops, Webcasts)
• Available EPA tools and resources to help
communities become more resilient to a
water service disruption
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