Draft guidelines to protect nation's water supply from attack unveiled

Dec. 14, 2006
Drafts of the nation's first voluntary standard guidelines for protecting the public from potential malevolent acts and other threats by enhancing physical security of water and wastewater infrastructure systems were released today for trial use by water and wastewater/stormwater utilities. Developed by ASCE and AWWA, with technical input from WEF, as a part of the Water Infrastructure Security Enhancements (WISE) program, the new standards are open for public comment until June 30, 2007...

"Protecting the Nation's Water Supply from Attack" draft documents are first voluntary physical security standard guidelines for water/wastewater/stormwater utilities.

RESTON, VA, Dec. 14, 2006 -- The nation's first standard guidelines for protecting the public from potential malevolent acts and other threats by enhancing the physical security of water and wastewater infrastructure systems were released today for trial use by water and wastewater utilities.

The voluntary standard guidelines--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) -- are the result of Phase III of the Water Infrastructure Security Enhancements (WISE) program. They were created under ASCE's American National Standards Institute-accredited standards development program. Titled "Guidelines for the Physical Security of Water Utilities" and "Guidelines for the Physical Security of Wastewater/Stormwater Utilities," the draft guidelines are open for public comment and trial use until June 30, 2007.

"Our society depends on a safe and reliable water supply, not only for human consumption but also for other needs such as industry, agriculture and even fire protection," said ASCE Executive Director Patrick J. Natale, P.E., F.ASCE, CAE. "These risk-reduction standards for water, wastewater and stormwater systems are an essential part of protecting our nation's infrastructure from potential terrorist threats, and allowing it to continue supporting our economy and public health."

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.

"In today's world, it's critical that we think about the long-term security of our water systems during design and construction," said AWWA Executive Director Jack Hoffbuhr, P.E., DEE. "These guidelines will help utilities ensure that security is an integral part of their overall approach to treating, storing and delivering safe water."

First launched in 2003 and funded by a multi-year grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), WISE was organized to support water and wastewater utilities in mitigating vulnerabilities from man-made threats and natural disasters in existing systems and throughout the design, construction and operation of new systems.

"The Water Environment Federation is pleased to partner with organizations like AWWA and ASCE," said WEF Executive Director Bill Bertera. "Incorporating WEF's technical expertise in wastewater into the development of their standards jointly serves the professionals who design and operate water infrastructure."

Phase I of the grant led to the creation of interim voluntary security guidance documents for water, wastewater, stormwater and on-line contaminant monitoring systems. Released in 2004, the guidelines 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.

Comprehensive modular-format training materials were then developed in Phase II 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.

Copies of the draft standards for trial use will be available on each organization's Web site: www.asce.org, www.awwa.org and www.wef.org

ASCE is widely known for its infrastructure assessments and reports, including Building Performance Assessments of the World Trade Center, Pentagon and Murrah Federal Building, and its technical assessments following earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters. Founded in 1852, ASCE represents more than 140,000 civil engineers worldwide and is America's oldest national engineering society.

AWWA is the authoritative resource for knowledge, information, and advocacy to improve the quality and supply of water in North America and beyond. AWWA is the largest organization of water professionals in the world.
AWWA advances public health, safety and welfare by uniting the efforts of the full spectrum of the water community. Through our collective strength, we become better stewards of water for the greatest good of the people and the environment.

Founded in 1928, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization with members from varied disciplines who work toward the WEF vision of preservation and enhancement of the global water environment. The WEF network includes water quality professionals from 76 Member Associations in 30 countries.

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Also see:
-- "Water Infrastructure Security Enhancements Guidance Documents"
-- "Review Panel Urges Completion of New Orleans Risk Assessment: Risk Quantification Essential for Improving Hurricane Protection System"
-- "Sixth Annual Infrastructure Security Conference Comes to D.C.: The Infrastructure Security Partnership (TISP) event March 28-29 includes remarks by Army Corps of Engineers commander, Fla. Gov. Jeb Bush"

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