Protecting the Nation’s Water Supply from Attack

admin — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:08:59 +0000

The nation’s standard guidelines for protecting the public from potential malevolent acts and other threats by enhancing the physical security of water and wastewater infrastructure systems draft guidelines were available for comment and trial use until June 30, 2007. The draft standards were then to be revised as necessary and submitted to the American National Standards Institute for approval as an American National Standard.

The voluntary standard guidelines Phase III of the Water Infrastructure Security Enhancements (WISE) program were jointly developed by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the American Water Works Association (AWWA) with technical input from the Water Environment Federation (WEF). These security recommendations and improvements are beginning wider adoption with funding from DHS in 2009 and beyond.

Risk reduction standards for water, wastewater and stormwater systems are an essential part of protecting our nation’s infrastructure from potential terrorist threats.

The guidelines provide drinking water, wastewater and stormwater utilities with practical
information to help implement improved security measures in new and existing facilities of all sizes.
The documents also address risks from construction and design perspectives and describe physical security approaches for detecting or delaying malevolent parties. The water guideline covers raw water facilities, wells and pumping stations, water treatment plants, water storage facilities, distribution systems and support facilities. The wastewater/stormwater guideline focuses on collections systems, pump stations, wastewater treatment plants and support facilities.

Phase I, released in 2004, and addressed issues such as risk assessment, threat analysis, financial and communications planning, human resources management, operational maintenance, emergency response strategy, design upgrades for improving physical security and management and operating practices to reduce vulnerabilities to malevolent events. Guidelines for contaminant monitoring systems addressed system design including assessments for monitoring system needs, locating instruments and sensors and responding to suspected contamination events.

Phase II, developed comprehensive modular-format training materials to disseminate the information in the interim guidance documents such as implementing enhanced security measures in facility design, operation and management, and providing water managers, operations personnel, design professionals and regulatory officials with detailed practical assistance for implementing improved security measures.

More information can be found at the American Water Works Association http://www.awwa.org , The Water Environment Foundation http://www.wef.org , or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency http://cfpub.epa.gov/safewater/watersecurity/index.cfm

Aella Consulting Group, Inc » EPA

Protecting the Nation’s Water Supply from Attack