f/EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
How Can Water Utilities Obtain Critical Assets
to Support Decontamination Activities?
Why are Critical Assets Important to Decontamination?
Following initial response to a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) contamination incident, a utility
may require critical assets to effectively complete decontamination of its water system. Decontamination refers
to the inactivation or reduction of contaminants by physical, chemical or other methods to meet a cleanup goal
in order to return the system to service. The Water Sector Decontamination Priorities Strategic Plan Final
Report (http://www.nawc.org/uploads/documents-and-publications/documents/document ca7f0ed5-0dfe-40ed-
afcl -a92a8beb3988.pdf) noted that utilities would benefit from knowing the availability of critical assets during the
pre-incident planning process. Assets critical to completing decontamination activities could include, but are not
limited to, the following:
• Personal protective equipment
• Sampling teams with up-to-date
environmental technique training
• Qualified analytical laboratory personnel
• Fate and transport modeling and
sampling-design experts
• Data management and documentation
specialists
• Decontamination teams capable
of verifying decontamination,
treating contaminated water, and
decontaminating sites or items
• Chemicals for treatment
In addition to identifying these critical assets, utilities should be aware of the process for requesting aid at local,
state and federal levels. By engaging in these efforts prior to an incident, utilities will be better equipped to
complete decontamination activities in a safe, effective and timely manner.
To aid in the complex request for service during emergency response, the National Incident Management
System (NIMS) (http://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergencv/nims/NIMS core.pdf) provides an approach to guide all
levels of government and the private sector to prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate
the effects of any type of incident. Figure 1 describes the typical process for how critical asset requests are
made and assistance is obtained at local, state and federal levels.
The NIMS approach can be used when requesting critical assets for natural disasters and CBRN contamination
incidents alike. However, fora CBRN incident, the following considerations may apply:
• If intentional contamination is suspected, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) involvement is necessary.
Utilities should notify their local FBI Field Office Weapons of Mass Destruction Coordinator (http://www.fbi.
gov/contact-us/field/listing by state), who will ensure that appropriate local, state and federal agencies are
contacted.
• Decontamination following a CBRN incident may require unique critical assets.
• The request for specialized federal resources may occur more quickly when responding to a CBRN contamina-
tion incident as critical assets to support decontamination may be limited at the utility, local and state levels.
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How Can Water Utilities Obtain Critical Assets to Support Decontamination Activities? _
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Different organizations from the local, state and federal levels may be involved when responding to a CBRN
contamination incident. For example, hazardous materials (hazmat) response teams may assume a large role
for decontamination activities.
Different organizations from the federal level may take the lead for coordination of decontamination activities
(see details in the section on "How are Federal Resources Acquired?").
Figure 1. General Coordination between Local, State and Federal Levels
LOCAL
Identify Critical Assets
- consult the AWWA
Resource Typing
Manual
Local
Responders
Local Emergency
Management
Agency
Neighboring
Utilities
Intrastate
Mutual Aid,
e.g., WARN
STATE
Governor-declared
emergency
State Emergency
Agency
mtm
State
Agencies
FEDERAL
Presidentialfy
declared
disaster/emergency
Interstate Mutual Aid,
Emergency Management
Assistance Compact
(EMAC)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA)
Federal Agencies via
Emergency Support Functions (ESF) e.g.
EPA, Department of Energy (DOE),
Federal Radiological Monitoring and
Assessment Center (FRMAC)
NOTE: If intentional contamination is suspected, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
should be contacted.
When a CBRN incident is reported to the National Response Center (NRC) by the utility,
local, state, tribe or other party, federal assistance may be available through the National
Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP).
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How Can Water Utilities Obtain Critical Assets to Support Decontamination Activities? _
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How Can Utilities Obtain Critical Assets at the Local Level?
In advance of an incident, Local Emergency Planning Committees (http://www2.epa.gov/epcra/local-
emergency-planning-committees) can help utilities identify organizations that can provide critical assets for
decontamination. When responding to a CBRN contamination incident and carrying out decontamination
activities, drinking water and wastewater utilities should first access support through local emergency
management agencies and local responders (police, fire, public health personnel). Local emergency
management agencies can help identify and obtain critical assets from other local groups. For more information on
synchronizing local efforts, see Coordination of Water and Emergency Services Sectors: An Important
Step to Better Response (http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/watersecurity/emerplan/upload/epa817k
12001.pdf).
Additional incident support can potentially be obtained through mutual aid networks such as a Water and Waste-
water Agency Response Network (WARN) (http://www.epa.gov/watersecurity/pubs/fs watersecurity warn.
pdf), which allow utilities to access personnel, equipment and materials from other utilities within their state to aid
decontamination efforts. Utilities should check with their WARN to see if other utilities have critical assets that
could be useful during decontamination response and recovery. A list of WARN contacts (http://water.epa.gov/
infrastructure/watersecurity/wshgcontacts.cfm) for each region is available.
When requesting critical assets to support decontamination activities, it is important to be as specific as pos-
sible about the capabilities of the assets being requested. To help utilities describe the types of critical assets
needed for decontamination, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Resource Typing Manual
(http://www.awwa.Org/Portals/0/files/resources/water%20knowledge/rc%20emergencv%20prep/rc%20warn%20re
sources%20pdf/typingmanual.pdf) organizes resources based on their capabilities. Resource teams are listed
by the type of support they could potentially provide (e.g., Distribution System Repair Team).
How Can Utilities Obtain Critical Assets at the State Level?
In some instances, depending on the extent and severity of the CBRN contamination incident, utilities may expand
the scope of coordination of critical assets beyond the local level to the state level. If state resources are depleted
and the governor declares a state of emergency, then states can also request critical assets for utilities through
the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). The EMAC (http://www.epa.gov/watersecurity/pubs/
fs watersecurity emac tips.pdf) provides a mutual aid and assistance mechanism allowing states to request
critical assets from one another.
Utilities may access State Primacy Agencies, which are responsible for administering the Safe Drinking Water
Act and Clean Water Act. State Primacy Agencies can also provide support during a CBRN contamination in-
cident by: providing regulatory oversight; advising on response protocols, damage assessment, sampling, and
laboratory services; issuing unsafe water
notices; and helping coordinate informa-
tion sharing and mutual aid. State Primacy
Agencies coordinate with the State Emer-
gency Management Agency (http://www.
fema.gov/regional-operations/state-offices-
and-agencies-emergency-management) to
carry out the state's emergency response
plan, and in some cases integrate available
WARN resources with response efforts. For
more information on the coordination of re-
sponse efforts within states, see Bridging
the Gap: Coordination between State
Primacy Agencies and State Emergency
Management Agencies (http://water.epa.
gov/infrastructure/watersecuritv/emerplan/
upload/epa817f12006.pdf).
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How Can Water Utilities Obtain Critical Assets to Support Decontamination Activities? _
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How are Federal Resources Acquired?
In the event of a CBRN contamination incident, critical assets for de-
contamination activities may be limited at the utility, local and state
levels. At this point, support from the federal level may be necessary.
If the severity of the incident escalates to a presidentially
declared emergency or disaster under the Stafford Act, the State
or federally-recognized Indian tribe can request assistance from
the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Under
the Stafford Act, FEMA coordinates federal responses via the
National Response Framework (NRF, http://nepis.epa.gov/
Exe/ZyPURL.cgi?Dockey=P 100648M.txt), which groups response
activities into a set of Emergency Support Functions (ESF) such as
Energy, Transportation and Public Works. EPA may provide support
under the ESFs associated with Public Works and Engineering
(ESF #3), Oil and Hazardous Materials Response (ESF #10) and
others.
FEMA also works with the states to provide federal disaster grant
assistance to utilities for emergency and permanent repair, re-
placement or restoration of disaster-damaged facilities. However,
only publically owned water and wastewater utilities or private non-
profit (e.g. cooperatives) utilities are eligible for these federal grants. In the event that a system is damaged from
a CBRN event, these grants could be important in restoring the system to service.
Additional support may be available to utilities from EPA under the National Oil and Hazardous Substances
Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). The NCP requires that reportable quantities of oil and hazardous substance
releases (which can include CBRN releases) be reported to the National Response Center (http://www.nrc.
uscg.mil/). EPA then reviews such notifications to determine the need for federal response for releases in the
inland zone, and the U.S. Coast Guard reviews notifications for releases in the coastal zone.
Under either a Stafford Act declaration or the NCP, EPA may provide a variety of services for CBRN contamination
incidents impacting the water sector. EPA On-Scene Coordinators can help coordinate EPA's overall response
efforts, bringing in federal special teams with CBRN expertise when necessary. EPA can also conduct or provide
technical assistance regarding sampling and monitoring to identify and determine the extent of contamination,
decontamination strategies, cleanup and waste management. One key asset is EPA's CBRN Consequence
Management Advisory Division (http://www2.epa.gov/emergencv-response/conseguence-management-advisory-
division-cmad) which can provide support regarding the decontamination of buildings or other structures for
these incidents.
Additionally, a variety of EPA resources are available online to assist decontamination efforts related to
sampling, analysis and disposal (see Table 1). To determine the applicability of federal disaster funding
programs, EPA has developed the Fed FUNDS (http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/watersecurity/funding/
fedfunds/index.cfm) website, which can help utilities determine what funding may be available to potentially
reimburse the cost of de-contamination activities. In the event of an oil spill or other environmental emergency
that poses a sudden threat to public health, contact the National Response Center's 24 hour hotline,
1-800-424-8802.
Another federal asset that may be activated by federal, state or local governments during contamination incidents
involving nuclear or radioactive materials is the Federal Radiological Monitoring and Assessment Center (http://
www.nnsa.energv.gov/aboutus/ourprograms/emergencvoperationscounterterrorism/respondingtoemergencies
-0-1), an interagency team initially led by the Department of Energy that conducts and coordinates federal
environmental radiological monitoring, sampling and assessment activities.
A checklist is provided which outlines the steps a utility can take during the pre-incident planning process.
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How Can Water Utilities Obtain Critical Assets to Support Decontamination Activities? _
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Table 1. Decontamination Tools and Resources
•-i.y.i-i-Njjii.fj-a
i_r/-i ixi_owt_Mxv^i—
Containment and Disposal of Large Amounts
of Contaminated Water: A Support Guide for
Water Utilities
DESCRIPTION
A guidance document for utilities detailing information on the
containment, treatment, disposal, storage and transportation of
contaminated water involving approximately 70 contaminants of
concern.
http://water.epa.qov/infrastructure/watersecuritv/emerplan/upload/epa817b12002.pdf
Drinking Water Treatability Database
A searchable online database containing referenced information
on control of contaminants in drinking water. Information on
over 200 regulated and unregulated contaminants is available
to utilities, responders, treatment process designers and
researchers and academics.
http://iaspub.epa.qov/tdb/paqes/qeneral/home.do
EPAs Environmental Response Laboratory
Network (ERLN)
A national network of laboratories available to assist with
laboratory sampling and analysis of environmental media in
response to chemical, biological and radiological threats during
nationally significant incidents.
http://www2.epa.qov/emerqencv-response/environmental-response-laboratorv-network
EPAs Water Laboratory Alliance (WLA)
An integrated nationwide network of laboratories with the
analytical capability and capacity to respond to intentional and
unintentional drinking water contamination events involving
chemical, biological and radiochemical contaminants. The WLA is
an integral part of the ERLN that focuses on water.
http://water.epa.qov/infrastructure/watersecuritv/wla/
Laboratory Resources for the Water Sector to
Support Decontamination Activities
A fact sheet for utilities summarizing how to access laboratory
resources. The fact sheet provides examples on how to engage in
a coordinated laboratory response to contamination events.
http://water.epa.qov/infrastructure/watersecuritv/wla/upload/epa817f12003.pdf
Response Protocol Toolbox (RPTB) Interim
Final: Planning for and Responding to
Contamination Threats to Drinking Water
Systems
A "field guide" comprised of six modules to help drinking water
utilities, laboratories, first responders and others when preparing
for and responding to contamination threats or incidents.
http://water.epa.qov/infrastructure/watersecuritv/upload/2004 11 24 rptb response quidelines.pdf
Sampling Guide for First Responders to
Drinking Water Contamination Threats and
Incidents
A document describing procedures and protocols for implementing
site characterization activities in the event of a drinking water
contamination threat or incident.
http://www.epa.qov/reqion1/eco/drinkwater/pdfs/1stRespondersGuide.pdf
Sampling Guidance for Unknown
Contaminants in Drinking Water
A comprehensive guidance document that integrates
recommendations for pathogen, toxin, chemical and radiochemical
sample collection, preservation and transport procedures to
support multiple analytical approaches for the detection and
identification of potential contaminants in drinking water.
http://water.epa.qov/infrastructure/watersecuritv/wla/upload/2008 12 31 watersecuritv pubs quide watersecuritv
samplinqforunknown.pdf
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How Can Water Utilities Obtain Critical Assets to Support Decontamination Activities? _
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EPA RESOURCE DESCRIPTION
Selected Analytical Methods
A searchable website that contains information on select analytical
methods to be used by laboratories tasked with performing
analyses of environmental samples following a homeland security
event. Available methods help to evaluate the nature and extent of
contamination and assess decontamination efficacy.
http://www.epa.gov/sam/
Wastewater Response Protocol Toolbox:
Planning for and Responding to
Wastewater Contamination Threats and
Incidents
A "field guide" comprised of six modules to help wastewater
utilities, laboratories, first responders and others when preparing
for and responding to contamination threats or incidents.
http://water.epa.qov/infrastructure/watersecuritv/emerplan/upload/epa817b09001.pdf
Water Contamination Information Tool
A secure, online database providing information on chemical,
biological and radiological contaminants of concern for water
security.
http://www.epa.gov/wcit/
Water Security Initiative: Interim Guidance on
Developing Consequence Management Plans
for Drinking Water Utilities
A document to assist drinking water utilities with planning,
designing, implementing and maintaining an effective Consequence
Management Plan as part of a contamination warning system.
http://www.epa.gov/watersecuritv/pubs/guide interim cmp wsi.pdf
• ••
What can you do now to be better prepared?
Utilities can take the following steps to identify critical assets available to support
decontamination activities:
Investigate the resources listed in Table 1
Identify your utility's critical assets
Update your utility's emergency response
plan forCBRN contamination incidents
and resource list of critical assets
Understand the process for accessing
critical assets through the local and
state level and incorporate this into your
resource request procedures
Become familiar with resource typing and
incorporate it into your resource request
procedures
Reach out to local and state response part-
ners (LEPC, local emergency management
agency, state primacy agencies) to determine
availability of critical assets
Identify and participate in any local or state
emergency preparedness training and
exercises (e.g., through the local emergency
management agency, WARN, or the state)
Join a utility mutual aid/assistance program,
such as WARN, and determine availability of
critical assets
Encourage your lab to join ERLN and WLA,
and determine availability of critical assets
Office of Water (4608-T) EPA 817-F-15-012 February 2015
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