EPA
Progress on
Water Sector
Decontamination
Recommendations
& Proposed
Strategic Plan
Office of Water (4608-T) EPA817-R-15-001 May2015
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DISCLAIMER
This document provides an update on the implementation status of recommendations published in
the 2008 Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council (CIPAC) Report titled,
Recommendations and Proposed Strategic Plan: Water Sector Decontamination Priorities. The
recommendations and views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA). This report does not establish EPA policy and does not obligate the
federal government to take any actions.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES i
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ii
CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS REPORT iv
I. INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Purpose 1
1.2 Background 1
1.3 Obtaining Information 6
1.4 List of Questions Discussed with Representatives from Lead Agencies 6
II. OUTCOMES 7
III. CONCLUSIONS 20
IV. REFERENCES 21
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Decontamination Issues Identified by the CIPAC Working Group 3
Table 2. Summary of Recommendation Status 4
Table 3. Results of Communications with Lead Agencies 8
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2008, a Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council (CIPAC) Water Sector
Decontamination Working Group was convened by the Water Sector Coordinating Council (SCC)
and Government Coordinating Council (GCC) to develop a strategy and plan that supports priorities
for Water Sector decontamination and recovery for the purpose of water security. The Working
Group reviewed existing information and ongoing activities related to Water Sector
decontamination to identify and prioritize 16 key decontamination issues in their 2008 report,
Recommendations and Proposed Strategic Plan: Water Sector Decontamination Priorities. Each issue
was ranked in terms of priority for water security and linked to one or more specific
recommendations, resulting in a total of 3 5 key recommendations. Since that time, various
stakeholders in the Water Sector have worked on implementing some of these recommendations.
To determine the status of these ongoing efforts, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Water
Security Division (WSD) conducted a series of conference calls with potential leads identified in the
report to address each recommendation. Calls were held with representatives from:
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water's WSD and Office of Research and
Development's National Homeland Security Research Center
• Water Sector organizations, i.e., Association of State Drinking Water Agencies, American
Water Works Association, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, Water Sector
Coordinating Council
• Other federal government agencies, i.e., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers
As of the date of this report, a significant amount of work has been undertaken to further support
decontamination research and policy needs and communicate these efforts to Water Sector
stakeholders. Of the 35 recommendations listed in the report, 23 are in progress and 3 have been
identified as completed. As a result of work conducted since 2008, many resources are now
available or under development to address the report's recommendations including in the areas of:
• Providing guidance regarding decontamination
• Containment and disposal of contaminated water
• Developed planning documents to facilitate preparation and response to a contamination
event
• Evaluated results from studies on the persistence of target contaminants in water systems
and the efficacy of treatment technologies and protocols
• Developed Web-based resources
• Conducted decontamination-specific training
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Collectively, these key outputs represent an increase of available information and data to support
Water Sector preparation, response and recovery from potential contamination incidents. Although
the key outputs identified for many of the recommendations are concrete indications of progress,
several recommendations remain unaddressed. Available resources and funding, as well as the
existence of competing priorities, may have constrained the ability of lead agencies to fully address
recommendations within the past 7 years.
The purpose of this report is to compile and communicate the current status of the CIPAC
recommendations reported by the agencies during the calls. In doing so, the report aims to increase
transparency, prevent any unnecessary duplication of efforts and streamline future research and
activities.
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CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS REPORT
Name
Matthew Arduino
Cynthia Finley
Mark Ginsberg
Charles Hilton
Marissa Lynch
Matthew Magnuson
Lisa McFadden
Scott Minamyer (retired)
Kevin Morley
Bridget O'Grady
Anne Spiesman
Organization
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE)
Water Sector Coordinating Council (SCC)
U.S. EPA Office of Water (WSD)
U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development, National
Homeland Security Research Center (NHSRC)
Water Environment Federation (WEF)
U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development, NHSRC
American Water Works Association (AWWA)
Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE)
IV
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I. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose
The goal of this report is to provide an update regarding the current progress on addressing the
recommendations identified in the 2008 Recommendations and Proposed Strategic Plan: Water
Sector Decontamination Priorities report By communicating the current status of each
recommendation, members of the Water Sector will become aware of work that is completed and
work that is underway by other agencies within the sector. Information from this report can be
used to help prioritize future efforts. Additionally, this report can also be used to help bolster
ongoing communication activities with Water Sector utilities and other potential responders,
ensuring that they have access to the most up to date information regarding how to decontaminate
water and utility infrastructure.
1.2 Background
In 2008, a Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council (CIPAC) Water Sector
Decontamination Working Group was convened by the Water Sector Coordinating Council (SCC)
and Government Coordinating Council (GCC) to develop a strategy and plan that supports priorities
for Water Sector decontamination and recovery for the purpose of water security. The Water SCC
provides a mechanism to coordinate Water Sector policy and strategic planning. In this role, it
recommends actions to reduce and eliminate significant homeland security vulnerabilities to the
Water Sector through coordination with the federal government and other critical infrastructure
sectors. The GCC, the government counterpart for the SCC, was formed to enable interagency and
cross-jurisdictional coordination. At the time, the Water Sector lacked adequate information and
guidance on the decontamination of water facilities, especially if they were contaminated with
chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) agents through an accidental, intentional, or natural
event The Working Group was therefore charged to identify and prioritize decontamination and
recovery issues and needs for returning drinking water (DW) and wastewater (WW) systems to
service after a contamination event.
The CIPAC Working Group included experts from:
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
o Office of Water's (OWs) Water Security Division (WSD)
o Office of Research and Development's (ORD's) National Homeland Security Research
Center (NHSRC)
o Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
o Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER)
o Office of Homeland Security
o EPA Regions 1 and 6
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
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• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE)
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
• States
• Water utilities
• Water Sector organizations including the American Water Works Association (AWWA,
represented by the Battelle Memorial Institute), Water Research Foundation (WRF,
represented by O'Brien & Gere) and the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators
(ASDWA).
The Working Group deliberated periodically over 6 months and reviewed existing information and
ongoing activities on Water Sector decontamination. Based on the available information and
subsequent discussions, the Working Group identified and prioritized 16 issues and defined 35
associated recommendations related to gaps in decontamination tools, guidance and research. The
outcomes from the Working Group are presented in their 2008 report, Recommendations and
Proposed Strategic Plan: Water Sector Decontamination Priorities. The recommendations are
divided by the following functional categories:
• supporting information and capabilities
• policy decisions
• decontamination and treatment technologies and procedures
• outreach and communications.
Note that in the report, the Working Group provides specific recommendations for addressing 15 of
the 16 key issues that were identified. Issue 16 contains overarching considerations that were not
addressed individually by the Working Group.
As part of the Working Group process, potential lead agencies were identified from the
organizations represented within the Working Group to address each recommendation. The
identified lead organizations were not obligated to complete the work or assign it to others.
Furthermore, it should be noted that asset and financial resources necessary to carry out these
recommendations were not addressed by this Working Group. No assumption should be made that
the suggested coordinating organizations have the people or funding to implement the Working
Group's recommended actions. Rather, the recommendations were mainly used to help inform
existing and new research efforts and related planning. The priority issues identified are listed in
Table 1.
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Table 1. Decontamination Issues Identified by the CIPAC Working Group
Priority Issue Categories Raised by CIPAC Working Group
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Containing or disposing of large amounts of contaminated water
Near-term practical solutions
Decontamination procedures for infrastructure in treatment plants
Decision-making frameworks for decontamination
Decontamination procedures for distribution and collection systems
Outreach and training to utilities, partners and stakeholders
Utility communications to public officials, responders, the public and others on decontamination
Cleanup levels
Treatment procedures for contaminated drinking water and wastewater
Agent fate and transport
Clarifying roles and responsibilities for decontamination and treatment
Process for regulatory waivers/suspensions
Resources and assets for decontamination and treatment
Laboratory analysis
Health and safety assessment for drinking water and wastewater treatment plant and field staff
Overarching Decontamination Needs
Approximate time frames for addressing each recommendation were designated by the Working
Group. These time frames were assigned based on what the Working Group believed was
appropriate for fully addressing each recommendation and acknowledge the practical
considerations necessary to complete the associated activities, but did not consider whether the
identified organizations have the resources available to address the Working Group's
recommendations in the time frames proposed.
Table 2 provides a high-level overview of the priority issues, recommendations and associated
statuses which may help lead agencies to identify outstanding recommendations and prioritize
future actions.
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Table 2: Summary of Recommendation Status
Issue/Recommendation
Status
Priority Issue 1: Containing or Disposing of Large Amounts of Contaminated Water
Recommendation 1.1 - Develop a decision-making framework regarding containing or purging contaminated water
Recommendation 1.2 - Revise existing guidance or develop new guidance for containment and disposal of decontamination
waste including large amounts of water and associated solid waste
Not Started
Complete
Priority Issue 2: Near-term Practical Solutions
Recommendation 2.1- Provide information on using traditional techniques (i.e., those in routine use by utilities) for non-
traditional contaminants
Recommendation 2.2 - Provide information on the efficacy of pipe cleaning aids, such as NSF-60-certified products, on the
decontamination of infrastructure
Recommendation 2.3- Provide operational steps to minimize impact of decontamination
Recommendation 2.4 - Use existing information services and Web-based databases to disseminate near-term practical
decontamination solutions
In progress
In progress
In progress
In progress
Priority Issue 3: Decontamination Procedures for Infrastructure in Treatment Plants
Recommendation 3.1- Identify existing decontamination techniques (or develop new procedures) for CBR agents in
treatment plant infrastructure
In progress
Priority Issue 4: Decision-Making Frameworks for Decontamination
Recommendation 4. 1 - Develop a decision-making framework for the decontamination of CBR agents in water systems,
specifically to be used by utilities, responders and other decision makers
In progress
Priority Issue 5: Decontamination Procedures for Distribution and Collection Systems
Recommendation 5.1- Identify existing decontamination techniques and/or develop new procedures for CBR agents in utility
distribution and collection systems
Recommendation 5.2 - Identify existing decontamination techniques and/or develop new decontamination methods for CBR
agents in private plumbing
In progress
In progress
Priority Issue 6: Outreach and Training to Utilities, Partners, and Stakeholders
Recommendation 6.1- Identify the current state of decontamination and recovery knowledge for CBR agents and develop a
preferred/vetted guidance to reconcile any conflicting information.
Recommendation 6.2 - Populate and update EPA's Water Contaminant Information Tool (WCIT) to include additional fate
and transport information
Recommendation 6.3 - Develop a Web-based information clearinghouse to share and disseminate decontamination and
recovery information specific to the water sector
Recommendation 6.4 - Develop and provide two types, one each for drinking water and wastewater, of facility-based,
decontamination training programs from "ground up "for water sector stakeholders and national response teams
Not Started
In progress
In progress
In progress
Priority Issue 7: Utility Communication to Public Officials, Responders, the Public and Others on Decontamination
Recommendation 7.1 - Develop guidance to help utilities prepare outreach materials to educate utility personnel, law
makers and response agencies on decontamination and recovery process before an incident
Recommendation 7.2 - Develop guidelines for risk communication activities during decontamination and recovery phases
In progress
In progress
Priority Issue 8: Cleanup Levels
Recommendation 8.1 - Develop transparent process for establishing target cleanup levels that can be used on an incident-
specific basis
Recommendation 8.2 - Pre-establish information needs to determine target cleanup levels for contaminants that address
multiple water uses
Recommendation 8.3 - Establish measurement process for cleanup and clearance that addresses extent of sampling
In progress
Not Started
Not Started
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Table 2: Summary of Recommendation Status
Issue/Recommendation
Status
Priority Issue 9: Treatment Procedures for Contaminated Drinking Water and Wastewater
Recommendation 9.1- Provide information on the treatment of drinking water and wastewater contaminated with CBR
agents
In progress
Priority Issue 10: Agent Fate and Transport
Recommendation 10. 1 - Create a transparent and scientifically defensible process for estimating the fate and transport of
contaminants in drinking water and wastewater systems in the absence of information on a specific contaminant
Recommendation 10.2- Determine the persistence and interaction of CBR agents in drinking water and wastewater on pipe
materials, and howchlorination affects contaminant persistence and interaction
Recommendation 10.3 - Integrate fate and transport information into hydraulic models
Recommendation 10.4 - Determine the fate and transport of decontamination agents in drinking water and wastewater
systems and persistence in pipe materials
Recommendation 10.5- Determine fate and transport of CBR agents, residuals, decontamination agents and solid discharge
to the environment including if discharged to water body or after wastewater treatment (fertilizer or the sludge application
to agricultural land, landfill, etc.)
Recommendation 10.6 - Assess the aerosolization or volatilization of contaminants released from drinking water and
wastewater systems
Recommendation 10. 7 - Determine the risk that an aerosolized attack of CBR agents will result in concentrations of concern
to drinking water or wastewater systems
In progress
In progress
In progress
In progress
In progress
Not Started
Not Started
Priority Issue 11: Clarifying Roles and Responsibilities for Decontamination and Treatment
Recommendation 11.1 - Develop a flowchart to show progression of roles and decision making authority to be used by the
utilities and responding/coordinating agencies during decontamination, treatment and recovery
In progress
Priority Issue 12: Process for Regulatory Requirements
Recommendation 12.1 - Provide guidance on regulatory waiver process for discharge/disposal, decontamination/treatment
and return to service activities during CBR incidents
Not Started
Priority Issue 13: Resources and Assets for Decontamination and Treatment
Recommendation 13.1 - Develop information guidelines for utilities on allocating and acquiring decontamination and
treatment financial resources
Recommendation 13.2 - Provide utilities with information on decontamination factors to be considered when making capital
improvement decisions through best practices development organizations advising the water sector
Recommendation 13.3 - Inform utilities of the critical assets available to the water sector to aid decontamination, treatment
and recovery from CBR contamination
Not Started
Not Started
Complete
Priority Issue 14: Laboratory Analysis
Recommendation 14.1 - Provide surface (in situ) and water analysis methods specific for CBR agents to be used during
decontamination and clearance steps through existing efforts
Recommendation 14.2 - Leverage existing efforts to identify laboratory capabilities and laboratory capacities specific to CBR
agent decontamination needs
Significant
Progress*
Complete
Priority Issue 15: Health and Safety Assessment for Drinking Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and Field Staff
Recommendation 15.1 - Develop detailed, risk-based frameworks for health assessments of drinking water and wastewater
treatment plant and field staff that are consistent in approach across all EPA regions and states
In progress
Priority Issue 16: Overarching Decontamination Needs
*Although significant progress has been made, related work may be ongoing (e.g., updates to available information).
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1.3 Obtaining Information
To gather information for this report, WSD conducted conference calls with representatives from
each designated lead agency to determine the status of activities under each of the relevant
recommendations. After each call, agencies had the opportunity to follow up with additional
supporting materials. This report was compiled based on voluntary input provided during these
communications. A list of the questions used to obtain input is provided below. Details regarding
key outcomes are documented in Section II, Table 3. The scope of this report is limited to the
information gathered during the conference calls with the lead agency representatives and any
follow up after the call. No additional research was conducted with other Water Sector agencies or
across other sectors.
1.4 List of Questions Discussed with Representatives from Lead Agencies
Core Questions
1. How would you rate the implementation status of Recommendation X in the CIPAC report?
a. Complete
b. In progress
c. Not started
2. What progress has been made toward addressing Recommendation X?
3. What projects are underway to aid the implementation of Recommendation A?
4. What products or other outputs have been developed or released by your
Agency/Association that are relevant to implementing Recommendation A?
5. Are there projects that you are currently working on, or considering starting, to address
other recommendations or issues that weren't directly assigned to your
Agency/Association?
Optional Questions
6. Are you working with EPA offices or other government agencies or Water Sector entities to
implement the recommendations? If so, which?
7. What have been the challenges you faced in addressing this/these recommendations?
8. Is this recommendation still relevant? If so, why?
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II. OUTCOMES
Table 3 provides a summary of the results of WSD's communications with lead agencies regarding
the status of activities addressing recommendations in the Recommendations and Proposed
Strategic Plan: Water Sector Decontamination Priorities report Input was provided by
representatives of EPA's NHSRC and WSD as well as representatives from CDC, USAGE, the Water
SCC, the Water Environment Federation (WEF), AWWA, ASDWA and the National Association of
Clean Water Agencies (NACWA). Input from DHS and the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) was not available at the time this progress document was prepared. In
some cases, progress was reported by agencies not explicitly identified as leads for specific
recommendations.
Each recommendation was assigned a status as follows:
• Not Started: Based on the information collected during the conference calls, efforts have not
been initiated to address the recommendation.
• In progress: Current efforts reflect progress towards meeting the recommendation, but
additional work is planned or needed.
• Significant Progress: Work has been completed towards the recommendation, however,
there may be some ongoing efforts to continue to update information as it becomes
available.
• Complete: The recommendation has been addressed as detailed by key outputs. For each
recommendation, key outputs (i.e., documents and products that have been prepared and
published by lead agencies) are presented to support the listed recommendation status. Full
citations and, when applicable, hyperlinks for these documents and products are provided
in Section IV, References.
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Table 3: Results of Communications with Lead Agencies
Note: Documents cited and listed in the bullets throughout this table reflect progress in meeting recommendations under Priority Issues 1 through 16 [see Table 1), since 2008. Full citations
and links for documents cited in this table are provided in Section IV of this report.
CIPAC Issues and Recommendations Status
Status
Time Frame
Lead Agencies
Progress and Key Outputs
Priority Issue 1: Containing or Disposing of Large Amounts of Contaminated Water
Recommendation 1.1 - Develop a decision-making framework regarding containing or purging contaminated water
Not Started
Mid-term
EPAOW(WSD)
ASDWA
Efforts to address this recommendation have not been initiated.
Recommendation 1.2- Revise existing guidance or develop new guidance for containment and disposal of decontamination waste including large amounts of water and associated solid waste
Complete
Short-term
EPAOW(WSD)
NACWA
WEF
As noted in the 2008 CIPAC Report (titled below), guidance for direct surface water discharge or disposal through wastewater treatment plants
(WWTPs) was not previously available. Prior guidance even suggested that this was not a viable option. EPA's "Containment and Disposal of Large
Amounts of Contaminated Water: A Support Guide for Utilities" (2012) provides updated guidance for utilities to determine how to treat, store and
dispose of contaminated water. The Guide outlines important considerations for various disposal options, including: direct discharge to surface
water, disposal through a WWTP, transfer to a hazardous waste facility, underground injection and volume reduction and solidification. The Guide
refers the reader to relevant regulations pertaining to the treatment and disposal of residuals (solids).
•Containment and Disposal of Large Amounts of Contaminated Water: A Support Guide for Utilities (USEPA, 2012a)
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Table 3: Results of Communications with Lead Agencies
Note: Documents cited and listed in the bullets throughout this table reflect progress in meeting recommendations under Priority Issues 1 through 16 [see Table 1), since 2008. Full citations
and links for documents cited in this table are provided in Section IV of this report.
CIPAC Issues and Recommendations Status
Status
Time Frame Lead Agencies
Progress and Key Outputs
Priority Issue 2: Near-term Practical Solutions
Recommendation 2.1- Provide information on using traditional techniques (i.e., those in routine use by utilities) for non-traditional contaminants
In progress
Mid-term
EPAORD(NHSRC)
EPAOW(WSD)
EPA has published the results of numerous studies (listed below), related to the use of traditional techniques for decontamination of several non-
traditional contaminants. The use of chlorination and increased flow rates were evaluated for their efficacy in removing several target contaminants,
including chlordane, cobalt and Bacillus spores. Results suggest that spores attached to bio-fouled concrete-lined pipe walls can persist in non-
chlorinated conditions, but detach and/or are inactivated upon addition of free chlorine. Results also suggest that the presence of free chlorine limits
adherence of viable spores by inactivating them before they have attached (Shane eta/., 2011). The use of chlorine dioxide as a disinfectant for
Bacillus drastically reduced contamination (Hosni et al., 2011; Hosni et al., 2009). Additional studies showed that adsorbed cobalt was strongly
resistant to decontamination by simulated flushing and the use of free chlorine and dilute ammonia, whereas use of aggressive solutions such as
14.BM ammonia and 0.36M sulfuric acid were much more effective. Similarly, hyperchlorination with increased flow was not effective at removing
chlordane from cement surfaces (Szabo et al., 2009a; USEPA 2012b). EPA recently published reports summarizing the current state of knowledge on
the persistance of biological, chemical and radiological agents on drinking water infrastructure and decontamination. Areas suggested for future
research include: expanding the availability of biological, chemical (i.e., inorganics) and radiological persistence data on infrastructure materials,
additional methods for sampling or extracting chemical agents from infrastructure surfaces, such as the use of chelating agents, low pH and non-
traditional disinfectants to treat contaminated drinking water (Szabo and Minameyer, 2014a, b, c). The aforementioned items are listed below.
•Decontamination of Biological Agents from Drinking Water Infrastructure: A Literature Review and Summary (Szabo and Minameyer, 2014a)
•Decontamination of Chemical Agents from Drinking Water Infrastructure: A Literature Review and Summary (Szabo and Minameyer, 2014b)
•Decontamination of Radiological Agents from Drinking Water Infrastructure: A Literature Review and Summary (Szabo and Minameyer, 2014c)
•Chemical Contaminant Persistence and Decontamination in Drinking Water Pipes: Results Using the EPA Standardized Persistence
and Decontamination Experimental Design Protocol (USEPA, 2012b)
•Efficacy of Chlorine Dioxide as a Disinfectant for Bacillus Spores in Drinking-Water Biofilms (Hosni etal., 2011)
•Persistence of Non-native Spore Forming Bacteria in Drinking Water Biofilm and Evaluation of Decontamination Methods
(Shane etal., 2011)
•The Disinfection Efficacy of Chlorine and Chlorine Dioxide as Disinfectants of Bacillus globigii, a Surrogate for Bacillus anthracis, in
Water Networks: A Comparative Study (Hosni et al., 2009)
•Persistence and Decontamination of Surrogate Radioisotopes in a Model Drinking Water Distribution System (Szabo et al., 2009a)
•Bacillus Spore Uptake onto Heavily Corroded Iron Pipe in a Drinking Water Distribution System Simulator (Szabo et al., 2009b)
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Table 3: Results of Communications with Lead Agencies
Note: Documents cited and listed in the bullets throughout this table reflect progress in meeting recommendations under Priority Issues 1 through 16 [see Table 1), since 2008. Full citations
and links for documents cited in this table are provided in Section IV of this report.
CIPAC Issues and Recommendations Status
Status
Time Frame
Lead Agencies
Progress and Key Outputs
Recommendation 2.2 - Provide information on the efficacy of pipe cleaning aids, such as NSF-60-certified products, on the decontamination of infrastructure
In progress
Long-term
EPAORD(NHSRC)
EPA has published the results of a pilot study (listed below) to, in part, determine the efficacy of pipe cleaning aids for decontaminating
infrastructure. Baseline flushing techniques were evaluated along with several additives, including phosphate buffer, acidified potassium
permanganate, shock chlorination and several NSF Standard 60 products, for removal of arsenic, mercury, Bacillus subtilis , diesel fuel and chlordane
from cement and pipe material surfaces. Acidified potassium permanganate increased the removal efficacy of arsenic and mercury; NSF Standard 60
products increased the removal of arsenic; shock chlorination increased the removal efficacy of Bacillus subtilis ; and Surfonic TDA-6 increased the
removal efficacy of diesel fuel and chlordane. For arsenic, use of the NSF Standard 60 products (e.g., NW-310/NW-400, Floran Biogrowth
Remover/Catalyst and Floran Top Ultra/Catalyst) as flushing reagents was as effective as flushing with acidified potassium permanganate, but the
NSF Standard 60 products are considered to be more environmentally friendly (USEPA, 2008).
•Pilot-Scale Tests and Systems Evaluation for the Containment, Treatment and Decontamination of Selected Materials from T&E
Building Pipe Loop Equipment (USEPA, 2008)
Recommendation 2.3 - Provide operational steps to minimize impact of decontamination
In progress
Short-term
AWWA(DW)
NACWA (WW)
WEF (WW)
WEF has developed two documents (listed below) to provide guidance on how to minimize the impact of decontamination. WEF released a special
publication to help utilities develop an emergency response plan to recover from events such as infrastructure failure, natural disasters and other
incidents (WEF, 2013). WEF also released a Manual of Practice document based on best work practices to provide critical information necessary for
regulatory compliance, reduction of costs and prevention of injury and illness. Details include information on: biological hazards, personal protective
equipment, safe work procedures and hazardous waste management (WEF, 2012).
•Emergency Planning, Response, and Recovery, WEF Special Publication (WEF, 2013)
•Safety, Health, and Security in Wastewater Systems, WEF Manual of Practice (MOP 1) (WEF, 2012)
Recommendation 2.4 - Use existing information services and Web-based databases to disseminate near-term practical decontamination solutions
In progress
Short-term
EPA
WaterlSAC is a centralized resource that gathers, analyzes and disseminates threat information that is specific to the drinking water and wastewater
community. Through WaterlSAC, members (including water utilities, state and federal agencies dealing with security, law enforcement, intelligence,
the environment and public health) can access databases of chemical, biological and radiological agent information as well as emergency
preparedness and response resources. See WaterlSAC below:
•EPA's WaterlSAC website - https://portal.waterisac.org/home
Priority Issue 3: Decontamination Procedures for Infrastructure in Treatment Plants
Recommendation 3.1- Identify existing decontamination techniques (or develop new procedures) for CBR agents in treatment plant infrastructure
In progress
Long-term
EPAORD(NHSRC)
Direct studies researching the efficacy of existing techniques on infrastructure specific to drinking water and wastewater treatment plants have not
yet been undertaken by NHSRC, but results of studies on distribution system infrastructure under Recommendations 2.1, 2.2, 5.1 and 10.2 are
applicable to some treatment plant infrastructure, such as pipes.
10
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Table 3: Results of Communications with Lead Agencies
Note: Documents cited and listed in the bullets throughout this table reflect progress in meeting recommendations under Priority Issues 1 through 16 [see Table 1), since 2008. Full citations
and links for documents cited in this table are provided in Section IV of this report.
CIPAC Issues and Recommendations Status
Status
Time Frame Lead Agencies
Progress and Key Outputs
Priority Issue 4: Decision-Making Frameworks for Decontamination
Recommendation 4.1 - Develop a decision-making framework for the decontamination of CBR agents in water systems, specifically to be used by utilities, responders, and other decision makers
In progress
Short-term
EPA
DHS
EPA is developing decontamination decision-making frameworks that detail the steps involved in characterization and decontamination efforts as
well as the relevant roles and decision-making authorities (Note: for practical purposes, Recommendations 4.1 and 11.1 have been combined). The
draft frameworks leverage the "Planning Guidance for Recovery Following Biological Incidents" (US DHS and EPA, 2011).
Priority Issue 5: Decontamination Procedures for Distribution and Collection Systems
Recommendation 5.1- Identify existing decontamination techniques and/or develop new procedures for CBR agents in utility distribution and collection systems
In progress
Long-term
EPAORD(NHSRC)
EPA has conducted multiple studies (listed below) to evaluate the efficacy of decontamination techniques for CBR agents in drinking water utility
systems.In addition to results of the USEPA2008 study listed below and summarized briefly under Recommendation 2.2 above, results of recently
completed studies indicate effective use of selective cesium removal media and concentrated salt brines to remove radionuclides from porous
surfaces. Adsorbed cobalt was strongly resistant to decontamination by various physicochemical methods, while absorbed cobalt was much more
effectively removed by 14.BM ammonia and 0.36M sulfuric acid than by simulated flushing and the use of free chlorine and dilute ammonia (M=
moles per liter) (Szabo et al., 2009a). Results of other studies indicate that germination of Bacillus spores and chlorination prior to flushing
increased decontamination efficacy; exposure to chlorine dioxide greatly reduced Bacillus contamination on surfaces (Shane etal., 2011; Hosnief
al., 2011; Hosnief al., 2009). Flushing with free chlorine was more effective in removing chlordanethan exposure to increased levels of chlorine
without flushing, but did not impact sodium fluoroacetate (in each case, duration of flow had a greater impact than flow velocity) (US EPA 2012b).
Ongoing research efforts include: testing the efficacy of acidified nitrite and atmospheric pressure microwave plasma as disinfecting agents,
investigating the impact of CBR contaminants on drinking water storage tanks sediments and construction of a field test site and initial evaluation of
decontamination methods at the test site (see Recommendation 2.1).
•Report on the Workshop on Radionuclides in Wastewater Infrastructure Resulting from Emergency Situations (USEPA, 2013)
•Germinant-Enhanced Decontamination of Bacillus Spores Adhered to Iron and Cement-Mortar Drinking Water Infrastructures
(Szabo etal., 2012)
•Chemical Contaminant Persistence and Decontamination in Drinking Water Pipes: Results using the EPA Standardized Persistence
and Decontamination Experimental Design Protocol (USEPA, 2012b)
•Efficacy of Chlorine Dioxide as a Disinfectant for Bacillus Spores in Drinking-Water Biofilms (Hosni et al., 2011)
•Persistence of Non-native Spore Forming Bacteria in Drinking Water Biofilm and Evaluation of Decontamination Methods
(Shane etal., 2011)
•The Disinfection Efficacy of Chlorine and Chlorine Dioxide as Disinfectants of Bacillus globigii, a Surrogate for Bacillus anthracis, in
Water Networks: A Comparative Study (Hosni etal., 2009)
•Persistence and Decontamination of Surrogate Radioisotopes in a Model Drinking Water Distribution System (Szabo et al., 2009a)
•Bacillus Spore Uptake onto Heavily Corroded Iron Pipe in a Drinking Water Distribution System Simulator (Szabo et al., 2009b)
•Pilot-Scale Tests and Systems Evaluation for the Containment, Treatment, and Decontamination of Selected Materials from T&E
Building Pipe Loop Equipment (USEPA, 2008)
11
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Table 3: Results of Communications with Lead Agencies
Note: Documents cited and listed in the bullets throughout this table reflect progress in meeting recommendations under Priority Issues 1 through 16 [see Table 1), since 2008. Full citations
and links for documents cited in this table are provided in Section IV of this report.
CIPAC Issues and Recommendations Status
Status
Time Frame
Lead Agencies
Progress and Key Outputs
Recommendation 5.2 - Identify existing decontamination techniques and/or develop new decontamination methods for CBR agents in private plumbing
In progress
Mid-term
EPAORD(NHSRC)
EPA completed several studies to evaluate existing techniques and develop methods for the decontamination of CBR agents in private plumbing
systems. Research evaluated the efficacy of increased flow rates during flushing, increased and varying types of chlorination, spore germination prior
to flushing, and increased water temperatures on removal or inactivation of conventional and unconventional chemical contaminants and spore-
forming pathogens. Contaminants addressed include: diesel fuel/gasoline, toluene, strychnine, cyanide, phorate, mercuric chloride, Escherichia coli,
Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus thuringiensis and ricin; material substrates used include: copper, galvanized iron, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), rubber and
brass. Measurements showed that most contaminants adhered to plumbing material substrates after initial exposure. Some contaminants (diesel
fuel, toluene) showed a substantial reduction from flushing with clean tap water, while others required the addition of high levels of chlorine to
effect removal (phorate, gasoline, biologicals) (USEPA, 2012c). Contact with germinants appeared to dramatically enhance the susceptibility of
surface-associated spores to elevated water temperature and disinfectants, and (for high-flow conditions) moderate concentrations of chlorine (~ 10
mg/L) effectively disinfected spores associated with biofilms (US EPA 2011a).
•Removing Biological and Chemical Contamination from a Building's Plumbing System: Method Development and Testing (USEPA, 2012c)
•Development and Testing of Methods to Decontaminate a Building's Plumbing System Impacted by a Water Contamination
Event: Decontamination of Bacillus Spores (USEPA, 2011a)
•Association and Decontamination of Bacillus Spores in a Simulated Drinking Water System (Morrow et a/., 2008)
Priority Issue 6: Outreach and Training to Utilities, Partners, and Stakeholders
Recommendation 6.1 - Identify the current state of decontamination and recovery knowledge for CBR agents and develop a preferred/vetted guidance to reconcile any conflicting information
Not Started
Short-term
EPA
Efforts to address this recommendation have not been initiated.
Recommendation 6.2 - Populate and update EPA's Water Contaminant Information Tool (WCIT) to include additional fate and transport information
In progress
Long-term
EPAOW(WSD)
There are limited data and information available on the fate and transport of CBR agents, residuals and associated decontamination agents in
drinking water/wastewater systems. EPA efforts to populate fate and transport information in WCIT are ongoing as this information becomes
available. Work is currently underway to update WCIT for consistency with EPA's Selected Analytical Methods for Environmental Remediation and
Recovery and include decontamination and treatment information for several pathogens and chemical agents.
Recommendation 6.3- Develop a Web-based information clearinghouse to share and disseminate decontamination and recovery information specific to the water sector
In progress
Long-term
EPA
A comprehensive clearinghouse has not been established; however, EPA released a decontamination website in 2013. The website is updated
regularly to disseminate the most current water-sector specific decontamination and recovery information. At this time, information regarding the
efficacy of decontamination procedures and technologies are accessible through multiple EPA websites and databases. Examples include EPA's WCIT,
EPA's NHSRC website and links from EPA's WSD Decontamination website.
•EPA's WSD Decontamination website - http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/watersecurity/emerplan/decon/
•EPA's NHSRC website- http://www.epa.gov/nhsrc/
•EPA's WCIT website - http://www.epa.gov/wcit/
12
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Table 3: Results of Communications with Lead Agencies
Note: Documents cited and listed in the bullets throughout this table reflect progress in meeting recommendations under Priority Issues 1 through 16 [see Table 1), since 2008. Full citations
and links for documents cited in this table are provided in Section IV of this report.
CIPAC Issues and Recommendations Status
Status
Time Frame
Lead Agencies
Progress and Key Outputs
Recommendation 6.4 - Develop and provide two types, one each for drinking water and wastewater, of facility-based, decontamination training programs from "ground up" for water sector
stakeholders and national response teams
In progress
Mid-term
EPA
SCC organizations
EPA is currently developing web-based decontamination training and plans to make it publicly available following the release of the decontamination
decision-making frameworks (see Recommendations 4.1 and 11.1).
Priority Issue 7: Utility Communication to Public Officials, Responders, the Public and Others on Decontamination
Recommendation 7.1 - Develop guidance to help utilities prepare outreach materials to educate utility personnel, law makers, and response agencies on decontamination and recovery process
before an incident
In progress
Short-term
SCC organizations
EPA developed a fact sheet (titled below) on accessing laboratory resources during response and remediation efforts to help utilities prepare for a
contamination incident. EPA is also in the process of adding information to its website on how utilities can access critical assets to support
decontamination activities.
•Laboratory Resources for the Water Sector to Support Decontamination Activities (USEPA, 2012d)
Recommendation 7.2- Develop guidelines for risk communication activities during decontamination and recovery phases
In progress
Short-term
SCC organizations
EPA developed a guidance document (titled below) to inform crisis communication planning by water sector and other emergency management
decision-makers and assist with effective communication during an incident.
•Need to Know: Anticipating the Public's Questions during a Water Emergency (USEPA, 2012e)
Priority Issue 8: Cleanup Levels
Recommendation 8.1 - Develop transparent process for establishing target cleanup levels that can be used on an incident-specific basis
Significant
Progress
Short-term
EPA
Although efforts to establish target cleanup levels have not been initiated specifically for the water sector, EPA continues to apply existing
procedures to determine risk-based exposure levels and remediation goals for new and emerging contaminants of concern. At present, risk
assessment information is provided across multiple EPA programs. For example, NHSRC provides provisional advisory levels (PALs) for approximately
100 chemicals and pathogens; and OSWER provides benchmarks and human toxicity assessment factors for more than 200 chemicals and
radiochemicals in EPA's Superfund Chemical Data Matrix (SCDM), preliminary remediation goals (PRGs) for radiochemicals and regional screening
levels (RSLs) for chemical contaminants. Risk assessment information and the associated exposure levels and/or remediation goals (i.e., for
inhalation and oral exposure), listed below, can be used to inform and plan target cleanup levels following contamination incidents.
•Health-Based Provisional Advisory Levels (PALs) for Homeland Security (Adeshina et al., 2009)
•Superfund Chemical Data Matrix (USEPA, 2014)
•EPA's Preliminary Remediation Goals for Radionuclides website - http://epa-prgs.ornl.gov/radionuclides/
•EPA's Regional Screening Levels for Chemical Contaminants website - http://www.epa.gov/region9/superfund/prg/
Recommendation 8.2 - Pre-establish information needs to determine target cleanup levels for contaminants that address multiple water uses
Not Started
Long-term
EPAORD(NHSRC)
Efforts to address this recommendation have not been initiated.
13
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Table 3: Results of Communications with Lead Agencies
Note: Documents cited and listed in the bullets throughout this table reflect progress in meeting recommendations under Priority Issues 1 through 16 [see Table 1), since 2008. Full citations
and links for documents cited in this table are provided in Section IV of this report.
CIPAC Issues and Recommendations Status
Status
Time Frame
Lead Agencies
Progress and Key Outputs
Recommendation 8.3 - Establish measurement process for cleanup and clearance that addresses extent of sampling
Not Started
Short-term
EPA
Efforts to address this recommendation have not been initiated.
Priority Issue 9: Treatment Procedures for Contaminated Drinking Water and Wastewater
Recommendation 9.1 - Provide information on the treatment of drinking water and wastewater contaminated with CBR agents
In progress
Long-term
EPAORD(NHSRC)
EPA has published the results of numerous studies (listed below) investigating the efficacy of treatment methods for contaminated drinking water
and wastewater, including studies performed in collaboration with CDC. These studies evaluated the use of chlorine and monochloramine for
decontamination of pathogens and chemicals in water. The efficacy of decontamination of biological agents was impacted by several factors
including:
•the microbe
•quantity /concentration
•concentration of disinfectant and contact time
•spores versus vegetative cells
•water temperature and pH
•quality and flow of water.
Current EPA research efforts include examining the effectiveness of advanced oxidation processes to treat chemically contaminated water and the
effectiveness of sodium hypochloriteto inactivate Bacillus spores in wash down wastewater.
•Inactivation of Bacterial Bioterrorism Agents in Water: A Summary of Seven EPA and CDC Research Studies (Minamyer & Menefee, 2013)
•Inactivation of Bacterial Bioterrorism Agents in Water: A Summary of Seven Studies (USEPA, 2012f)
•Chlorine Disinfection of Francisella tularensis (O'Connell et a/., 2009)
•Variability of Burkholderia pseudomallei Strain Sensitivites to Chlorine Disinfection (O'Conner et a/., 2009)
Priority Issue 10: Agent Fate and Transport
Recommendation 10.1 - Create a transparent and scientifically defensible process for estimating the fate and transport of contaminants in drinking water and wastewater systems in the absence of
information on a specific contaminant
In progress
Mid-term
EPAORD(NHSRC)
EPA is planning studies that will inform the development of a scientifically defensible process for estimating fate and transport of target
contaminants in a water utility system. Research being considered for the next 3 years includes developing a compendium report on drinking water
distribution system fate and transport models and research on improved prediction of the hydrolysis or oxidation of selected chemicals.
14
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Table 3: Results of Communications with Lead Agencies
Note: Documents cited and listed in the bullets throughout this table reflect progress in meeting recommendations under Priority Issues 1 through 16 [see Table 1), since 2008. Full citations
and links for documents cited in this table are provided in Section IV of this report.
CIPAC Issues and Recommendations Status
Status
Time Frame Lead Agencies
Progress and Key Outputs
Recommendation 10.2 - Determine the persistence and interaction ofCBR agents in drinking water and wastewater on pipe materials, and how chlorination affects contaminant persistence and
interaction
In progress
Long-term
EPAORD(NHSRC)
EPA has published the results of numerous studies evaluating the persistence and interaction of CBR agents in water systems, including their
interactions with pipe materials and the impacts of chlorination. Several studies have been conducted to investigate the persistence of contaminants
such as B. anthracis, surrogates for B. anthracis (including B. globigii) and radionuclides on common pipe materials such as corroded iron, PVC,
concrete, and cement. Results confirm that the absence or presence of biofilms is an important factor which may be contaminant specific (USAGE,
2012; EPA, 2012b; Shane et al., 2011; Arnett, 2010). Results of one study support previous bench-scale studies that show that spores can persist on
corroded iron surfaces in drinking water with free chlorine concentrations up to 70 mg/L. B. globigii has also been shown to adsorb to biofilms on
PVC pipes, decreasing spore inactivation by free chlorine (Arnett, 2010). Results of another study evaluating the persistence of B. globigii on
biofouled concrete suggest that free chlorine can inactivate spores prior to attachment thus limiting adherence (Shane et al., 2011). For sodium
fluroacetate, results of one preliminary study indicated that the absence of biofilm may actually increase the adsorption of the contaminant to pipe
surfaces (USEPA, 2012b). Studies assessing the persistence of cesium and cobalt were conducted in biofilm annular reactors containing heavily
corroded iron surfaces. Results also indicated that competition with other ions dissolved in the drinking water effectively prevented cesium from
associating with active sites in the corrosion surface at a detectable level. Conversely, cobalt persisted for at least 6 weeks on the corroded iron
surface of the coupons (Szabo et al., 2009b). USACE noted that current simulations of contaminant fate and transport within pipes are inadequate
in that they do not incorporate sorption or chemical reactions (e.g., hydrolysis) (USACE, 2012). As methods to model and predict molecular transport
and hydrolysis rates for specific contaminants improve, they can be incorporated into existing modeling software (i.e., EPANet) to inform
decontamination strategies. The aforementioned studies are listed below.
•Effect of pH on the Electrophoretic Mobility of Spores of Bacillus anthracis and Its Surrogates in Aqueous Solutions (White et al., 2012)
•Chemical Contaminant Persistence and Decontamination in Drinking Water Pipes: Results Using the EPA Standardized Persistence
and Decontamination Experimental Design Protocol (USEPA, 2012)
•Molecular Modeling of Chem-Bio (CB) Contaminant Sorption/Desorption and Reactions in Chlorinated Water Systems (USACE, 2012)
•Modeling Pressure-Driven Transport of Proteins Through a Nanochannel (Carr et al., 2011)
•Persistence of Non-native Spore Forming Bacteria in Drinking Water Biofilm and Evaluation of Decontamination Methods
(Shaneeta/., 2011)
•Influence of Bacterial Biofilms on Bacillus globigii spore Viability in Model Chlorinated Water Distribution Systems (Arnett et al., 2010)
•Bacillus Spore Uptake onto Heavily Corroded Iron Pipe in a Drinking Water Distribution System Simulator (Szabo et al., 2009)
15
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Table 3: Results of Communications with Lead Agencies
Note: Documents cited and listed in the bullets throughout this table reflect progress in meeting recommendations under Priority Issues 1 through 16 [see Table 1), since 2008. Full citations
and links for documents cited in this table are provided in Section IV of this report.
CIPAC Issues and Recommendations Status
Status
Time Frame
Lead Agencies
Progress and Key Outputs
Recommendation 10.3 - Integrate fate and transport information into hydraulic models
In progress
Long-term
EPAORD(NHSRC)
EPA has a suite of hydraulic modeling and simulation software tools available, which are listed below, to help water utilities detect and respond to
contamination incidents. Although none of these models currently incorporate fate and transport data, EPANET-MSX (Multi-Species extension) is
well suited to incorporate such data as they become available. EPA NHSRC's EPANET-MSX allows for the consideration of multiple interacting species
in the bulk flow and on the pipe walls. This capability has been incorporated into both a stand-alone executable program as well as a toolkit library of
functions that programmers can use to build customized applications. EPA published a technical brief summarizing hydraulic modeling and simulation
software tools developed by EPA NHSRCto help water utilities detect and respond to incidents. Recently, EPA released the Water Security Toolkit
which assists in the evaluation of multiple response actions in order to select the most beneficial consequence management strategy. It includes
hydraulic and water quality modeling software and optimization methodologies to identify:
•sensor locations to detect contamination
•locations in the network in which the contamination was introduced
•hydrants to remove contaminated water from the distribution system
•locations in the network to inject decontamination agents to inactivate, remove or destroy contaminants,
•locations in the network to take grab samples to confirm contamination or cleanup
•valves to close in order to isolate contaminated areas of the network.
•EPA's Water Security Toolkit website - https://software.sandia.gov/trac/wst
•EPA's Water Security Modeling and Simulation Research (USEPA, 2011b)
Recommendation 10.4 - Determine the fate and transport of decontamination agents in drinking water and wastewater systems and persistence in pipe materials
In progress
Mid-term
EPAORD(NHSRC)
USAGE
Research efforts, mentioned below, to help determine the fate, transport and persistence of decontamination agents in water systems, including
pipe surfaces, have not been initiated by EPA or USAGE except as related to their impact on contaminants (see Recommendation 10.2). Research
being considered by EPA for the next 3 years includes assessing the persistence of decontaminating agents and contamination residuals and by
products in drinking water distribution systems.
•Atoms-to-microns Model for Small Solute Transport through Sticky Nanochannels (Carr et al., 2011)
Recommendation 10.5 - Determine fate and transport ofCBR agents, residuals, decontamination agents and solid discharge to the environment including if discharged to water body or after
wastewater treatment (fertilizer or the sludge application to agricultural land, landfill, etc.)
In progress
Long-term
EPAORD(NHSRC)
The fate of chemicals in wastewater sludge was evaluated in two studies (listed below). First, the fate of ethyl methylphosphonic acid (EMPA), a
hydrolysis product of VX (0-ethyl S-[2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl] methylphosphonothioate) was studied in activated sludge from a laboratory scale
sequencing batch reactor. The results suggest that the nitrifying bacteria may be responsible for the degradation via co-metabolism. Therefore,
unless a suitable microbial population is present, degradation products, like EMPA, and similarly sorbed and biodegraded compounds may pass
through an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant largely unchanged (Janeczko et al., 2014). Secondly, the ability of activated sludge to sorb
and biodegrade ethylmethylphosphonic acid (EMPA) and malathion, a degradation product and surrogate, respectively, for an organophosphate
chemical warfare agent was studied. EMPA did not inhibit chemical oxygen demand (COD) oxidation or nitrification activity, although malathion did
appear to induce a stress response resulting in inhibition of COD oxidation. The activated sludge reduced the malathion concentrations to nearly zero
by day 10 for all retention times. (Schuldt et al., 2013)
•Fate of Malathion and a Phosphonic Acid in Activated Sludge with Varying Solids Retention Times (Janeczko et al., 2014)
•Biodegradation by Activated Sludge from a Municipal Wastewater Plant of an Organophophonate Hydrolysis Product of
VX:... But Not a Drop to Drink (Schuldt et al., 2013)
16
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Table 3: Results of Communications with Lead Agencies
Note: Documents cited and listed in the bullets throughout this table reflect progress in meeting recommendations under Priority Issues 1 through 16 [see Table 1), since 2008. Full citations
and links for documents cited in this table are provided in Section IV of this report.
CIPAC Issues and Recommendations Status
Status
Time Frame
Lead Agencies
Progress and Key Outputs
Recommendation 10.6- Assess the aerosolization or volatilization of contaminants released from drinking water and wastewater systems
Not Started
Long-term
EPAORD(NHSRC)
Efforts to address this recommendation have not been initiated.
Recommendation 10.7 - Determine the risk that an aerosolized attack of CBR agents will result in concentrations of concern to drinking water or wastewater systems
Not Started
Long-term
DHS
EPA
Efforts to address this recommendation have not been initiated.
Priority Issue 11: Clarifying Roles and Responsibilities for Decontamination and Treatment
treatment and recovery
In progress
Short-term
EPA
DHS
EPA is developing decontamination decision-making frameworks that detail the steps involved in characterization and decontamination efforts as
well as the relevant roles and decision-making authorities (Note: for practical purposes, Recommendations 4.1 and 11.1 have been combined). The
draft frameworks leverage the "Planning Guidance for Recovery Following Biological Incidents" (US DHS and EPA, 2011).
Priority Issue 12: Process for Regulatory Requirements
Recommendation 12.1 - Provide guidance on regulatory waiver process for discharge/disposal, decontamination/treatment and return to service activities during CBR incidents
Not Started
Short-term
ASDWA
ASIWPCA
EPA
Efforts to address this recommendation have not been initiated.
Priority Issue 13: Resources and Assets for Decontamination and Treatment
Recommendation 13.1 - Develop information guidelines for utilities on allocating and acquiring decontamination and treatment financial resources
Not Started
Short-term
AWWA(DW)
NACWA/WEF
(WW)
Efforts to address this recommendation have not been initiated.
Recommendation 13.2 - Provide utilities with information on decontamination factors to be considered when making capital improvement decisions through best practices development
organizations advising the water sector
Not Started
Mid-term
AWWA(DW)
NACWA (WW)
WEF (WW)
Efforts to address this recommendation have not been initiated.
Recommendation 13.3 - Inform utilities of the critical assets available to the water sector to aid decontamination, treatment and recovery from CBR contamination
Complete
Short-term
EPA
SCC organizations
EPA developed a factsheet on how utilities can access critical assets to support decontamination activities.
•How Can Water Utilities Obtain Critical Assets to Support Decontamination Activities? (USEPA, 2015)
17
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Table 3: Results of Communications with Lead Agencies
Note: Documents cited and listed in the bullets throughout this table reflect progress in meeting recommendations under Priority Issues 1 through 16 [see Table 1), since 2008. Full citations
and links for documents cited in this table are provided in Section IV of this report.
CIPAC Issues and Recommendations Status
Status
Time Frame
Lead Agencies
Progress and Key Outputs
Priority Issue 14: Laboratory Analysis
Recommendation 14.1 - Provide surface (in situ) and water analysis methods specific for CBR agents to be used during decontamination and clearance steps through existing efforts
Significant
Progress
Long-term
EPA
Development of techniques for the detection and measurement of CBR agents is ongoing by EPA. Several procedures and techniques (listed below)
have been published in recent years to address target pathogens and chemical warfare agents and other target contaminants.
•Analysis of Environmental Contamination Resulting from Catastrophic Incidents: Part 2. Building Laboratory Capability by
Selecting and Developing Analytical Methodologies (Magnuson et a/., 2014a)
•Quantitative Analysis and Stability of the RodenticideTETS (Tetramine) in Finished Tap Water (Knaackef a/., 2014)
•Stability of Ricinine, Abrine, and Alpha-amanitin in Finished Tap Water (Knaack et al., 2013a)
•Performance of a Novel High Throughput Method for the Determination of VX in Drinking Water Samples (Knaackef a/., 2013b)
•High Throughput Determination of VX in Drinking Water by Immunomagnetic Separation and Isotope Dilution High
Performance Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS) (US EPA and CDC, 2013)
•Protocol for Detection of Bacillus anthracis in Environmental Samples During the Remediation Phase of an Anthrax Event
(US EPA, 2012g)
•Selected Analytical Methods for Environmental Remediation and Recovery (SAM) (US EPA, 2012h)
•Comparison of Ultrafiltration Techniques for Recovering Biothreat Agents in Water (US EPA, 2011c)
•Use of Acid Treatment and a Selective Medium to Enhance the Recovery of Francisella tularensis from Water (Humrighouseef al., 2011)
•Evaluation of Surface Sampling Techniques for Collection of Bacillus spores on Common Drinking Water Pipe Materials
(Packard and Kupferle, 2010)
Recommendation 14.2 - Leverage existing efforts to identify laboratory capabilities and laboratory capacities specific to CBR agent decontamination needs
Complete
Short-term
EPAOW(WSD)
EPA established an Environmental Response Laboratory Network (ERLN) to provide access to qualified laboratories and procedures following a
contamination incident. The Water Laboratory Alliance (WLA) is included in the ERLN, and was designed specifically to address water contamination.
EPA also published a fact sheet describing available laboratory capabilities and capacities specific to CBR decontamination needs. Recently, EPA
published a paper summarizing activities and programs that it has implemented to ensure capability and capacity for the analysis of contaminated
environmental samples following catastrophic incidents. USEPA's focus has been on building capability for a wide variety of contaminant classes and
on ensuring national laboratory capacity for potential surges in the numbers of samples that could quickly exhaust the resources of local
communities. USEPA's efforts have been designed to ensure a strong and resilient laboratory infrastructure in the United States to support
communities as they respond to contamination incidents of any magnitude. The aforementioned items are listed below.
•Analysis of Environmental Contamination Resulting from Catastrophic Incidents: Part 1. Building and Sustaining Capacity in Laboratory
Networks (Magnuson ef a/., 2014b)
•Laboratory Resources for the Water Sector to Support Decontamination Activities (USEPA, 2012d)
•EPA's ERLN website - http://www2.epa.gov/emergency-response/environmental-response-laboratory-network
•EPA's WLA website - http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/watersecurity/wla/
18
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Table 3: Results of Communications with Lead Agencies
Note: Documents cited and listed in the bullets throughout this table reflect progress in meeting recommendations under Priority Issues 1 through 16 [see Table 1), since 2008. Full citations
and links for documents cited in this table are provided in Section IV of this report.
CIPAC Issues and Recommendations Status
Status
Time Frame
Lead Agencies
Progress and Key Outputs
Priority Issue 15: Health and Safety Assessment for Drinking Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and Field Staff
Recommendation 15.1 - Develop detailed, risk-based frameworks for health assessments of drinking water and wastewater treatment plant and field staff that are consistent in approach across all
EPA regions and states
In progress
Mid-term
CDC
OSHA
In 2012, CDC held a meeting with relevant stakeholders to address this recommendation. The outcome from this meeting was a series of detailed,
risk-based frameworks to be used for health assessment of affected staff.
Priority Issue 16: Overarching Decontamination Needs
Addressed by
other
recommend-
ations
N/A
N/A
Issue 16 describes overarching needs identified by the Working Group including:
•addressing the needs of drinking water and wastewater utilities of all sizes
•leveraging existing efforts
•broadening assessment to international efforts
•leveraging DHS national planning scenarios, where applicable.
Because these needs were seen to affect and be part of other issues, no specific recommendations were put forth and progress is therefore reflected
in key outputs for other recommendations.
19
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III. CONCLUSIONS
The compiled information presented in this document indicates progress towards addressing the
water security priorities set forth in the Recommendations and Proposed Strategic Plan: Water
Sector Decontamination Priorities report As detailed in Section II, a significant amount of work has
been undertaken by various members of the Water Sector to further support decontamination
research and policy needs, as well as communicate these efforts to Water Sector stakeholders. Of
the 35 recommendations listed in the report, 23 are in progress and 3 have been identified as
completed. As a result of work conducted by the Water Sector since 2008, many resources are now
available or under development to address the recommendations. These resources address
important data gaps within the Water Sector, including:
• providing guidance regarding decontamination, containment and disposal of contaminated
water;
• planning documents to facilitate preparation and response to a contamination event;
• study results evaluating the persistence of target contaminants in water systems and the
efficacy of treatment technologies and protocols;
• the availability of Web-based resources;
• and training.
Collectively, these key outputs represent a notable increase in the amount of information and data
available to support Water Sector preparation, response and recovery from potential
contamination incidents. If the agencies referenced within this report were not previously aware of
each other's efforts, this report provides a thorough update with links to resources and the
potential to identify areas of collaboration in the future. Through the release of this report and
subsequent efforts, lead agencies may also identify additional ways to propagate and disseminate
information effectively to water utilities and responders.
Although the numerous outputs described in Table 3 are concrete indications of progress, several
recommendations remain unaddressed. Specifically, based on available information, 9 of the 35
recommendations are labeled "Not Started." These recommendations include developing
supporting decontamination information and capabilities (10.6,10.7,13.1,13.2), establishing
decontamination and treatment methods and technologies (8.3), addressing policy decisions (1.1,
8.2,12.1) and providing outreach and communications (6.1). Available resources and funding, as
well as the existence of competing priorities, may have constrained the ability of lead agencies to
fully address recommendations within the past 7 years. Following the release of this report, a
discussion among involved agencies may also provide the opportunity to refine existing priorities
and identify any new priorities that may have emerged since 2008. This dialogue would further
enhance water security efforts as related to decontamination and recovery capabilities.
20
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IV. REFERENCES
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Levels (PALs) for Homeland Security. Inhalation Toxicology. 21: 12-16.
Arnett, C.M., A.M. Beckman, M.D. Ginsberg, and V.F. Hock. 2010. Influence of Bacterial Biofilms on
Bacillusglobigii Spore Viability in Model Chlorinated Water Distribution Systems. Water Science &
Technology: Water Supply. 10(3): 277-285.
http://www.iwaponline.com/ws/01003/ws010030277.htm (Last Accessed 04/14/2015)
AWWA. 2011. Buried No Longer: Confronting America's Water Infrastructure Challenge.
http://www.awwa.0rg/portals/0/files/legreg/documents/buriednolonger.pdf (Last Accessed
04/14/2015)
Carr, R., J. Comer, M.D. Ginsberg, and A. Aksimentiev. 2011. Atoms-to-Microns Model for Small
Solute Transport through Sticky Nanochannels. Lab on a Chip. 11: 3766-3773.
http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2011/lc/cllc20697dtfidivAbstract (Last Accessed
04/14/2015)
Carr, R., J. Comer, M.D. Ginsberg, and A. Aksimentiev. 2011. Modeling Pressure-Driven Transport of
Proteins Through a Nanochannel. IEEE Transactions on Nanotechnology. 10(1): 75-82.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3353732/ (LastAccessed 04/14/2015)
Hosni, A.A., W.T. Shane, J.G. Szabo, and P.L. Bishop. 2009. The Disinfection Efficacy of Chlorine and
Chlorine Dioxide as Disinfectants of Bacillus globigii, a Surrogate for Bacillus anthracis, in Water
Networks: A Comparative Study. Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering. 36(4): 732-737.
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