&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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