&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Water Contaminant Information Tool (WCIT)
A Robust Tool for the Water Sector
The Water Contaminant Information Tool (WCIT) is a secure on-line database with comprehensive
information about chemical, biological, and radiochemical contaminants of concern for the water sector.
This tool compiles drinking water and waste water-specific data in a one-stop, easy-to-use tool. WCIT
functionality and content were shaped and validated by water utility professionals, scientists, and public
health experts.
Supports Multiple Users
WCIT data supports multiple users in the water sector. Specific WCIT features for users include:
Utilities
Laboratories
WCIT includes more than 200 analytical methods
tied to more than 800 potential contaminants. The
enhanced method table contains the method number,
title, matrices analyzed, instrumentation required, the
organization that developed the method, and three
additional fields that rate rapidity, specificity, and how
thoroughly the method has been tested. The methods
are available as a PDF or via a hyperlink.
WCIT provides drinking water and
wastewater-specific information to utilities
for use in identifying and responding
to water contamination. It includes
water treatment and infrastructure
econtamination methods. WCIT also
atures tools to assess risk associated
with contamination and conduct
enhanced searches of the WCIT database.
Emergency Responders
The responders can obtain information on first
aid, medical treatments and toxicity values,
field detection and analysis, and environmental
impacts. In addition,
the responders can
acquire the methods
for collecting field
samples and data on
contaminants that are not
normally encountered.
WCIT is a practical tool
for table-top exercises and
emergency drills.
ublic Health Agencies ~
aluable information includes pathogen-specific data
on hosts, life stages, clinical signs, symptoms, treatment,
likely outcome, and possible secondary transmission. In
addition, WCIT features links to U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention fact sheets and International
Chemical Safety Cards summarizing key information (e.g.,
trinsic hazards of exposure, first aid, and treatment).
Federal Officials
Officials can access the same contaminant
information that utilities and first responders
use. An enhanced search feature allows
searching across all
data tables - especially
important for federal officials
/ho have a broad scope of
water sector responsibilities.
/CIT also references federal regulations,
/alues, and standards, including maximum
contaminant levels and health advisories.
State Primacy Agencies
The Information Officer reporting
function is a particularly valuable
tool for agencies. This function
is ideal for generating summary
information for inclusion in press
releases or announcements.
Office of Water (4608-T) | EPA817-F-10-016 | November 2010 | http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/watersecurity
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Did you know? As an all hazards response tool, WCIT can be used in response to
natural disasters, accidents, vandalism, and intentional acts. WCIT can also be used to
support preparedness planning and training, detection, and recovery.
Comprehensive Contaminant Information
The core of WCIT contains detailed profiles of contami-
nants describing the physical properties, the contaminants'
behavior in water, and potential health effects. This in-
formation can be accessed through intuitive toolbars and
menus, or through a powerful search function that enables a
search for any word or term in WCIT.
Additional Analytical Methods
EPA enhanced WCIT capabilities by integrating a
compendium of over 700 new contaminants and 212
analytical methods into WCIT. The new information
identifies both field and laboratory methods - and links to
copies of the methods that are publicly available.
EPA has also expanded the data WCIT contains on
analytical methods. Now WCIT contains the method
number, title, matrices analyzed, instrumentation required,
the organization that developed the method, and three
additional fields that rate rapidity, specificity, and how
thoroughly the method has been tested.
Register for WCIT
Registering for WCIT is easy and free. To apply for
access to WCIT, visit http://www.epa.gov/wcit
or https://cdx.epa.gov. WCIT contaminant data
are considered sensitive, so EPA restricts access
to individuals in the water sector. Eligible users
include:
• Drinking water and wastewater utilities
• State drinking water primacy agencies (and
their regional and local agencies)
• State and local public health officials
• Federal agencies
• State laboratories
• Drinking water and wastewater associations
partnering with EPA
WCIT information includes:
• Name, Chemical Abstracts
Service (CAS) Registry Number
• Physical or pathogen properties
• Availability
• Fate and transport
• Medical and toxicity information
• Early warning indicators
• Field detection and analysis
information
• Drinking water and wastewater
treatment
• Environmental impacts
• Infrastructure decontamination
es
Continuous Enhancements
EPA continues to expand and enhance
WCIT to increase its value to users. Among
the enhancements since its launch in 2005:
• More than doubled the number of
contaminants with full profiles
• Added data on drinking water and
wastewater treatment and infrastructure
decontamination
• Enhanced capabilities to allow users to
conduct a "Google-like" search across all
searchable fields in the database
• Incorporated a compendium of methods
for nearly 700 analytes
• Linked methods to EPAs Standardized
Analytical Methods for Environmental
Restoration Following Homeland Security
Events (SAM)
For more information on WCIT, visit http://www.epa.gov/wcit
or send an email to WCIT@epa.gov.
Office of Water (4608-T) | EPA817-F-10-016 | November 2010 | http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/watersecurity
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