Morrow, GA, Feb. 11, 2002 -- About the time the nation observed the three-month anniversary of the Sept. 11, terrorist attacks on U.S. soil, local government officials from metro Atlanta took part in an educational seminar designed to counter any potential terrorism on U.S. water resources.
Managers from the Clayton County Water Authority (CCWA) recently took part in a professional development conference entitled, "Counter-Terrorism and Security in the Water Industry: a manager's guide to keeping your water utility safe."
CCWA officials joined their contemporaries from other public water utilities across the state for an information exchange designed to help them evaluate the security of their respective water systems and devise a plan to counter potential terrorism.
Guy Pihera, manager of water production for the CCWA, says the conference was an eye opener for him and others at the Authority, with a great deal of useful information put before them.
"We learned the identities of terrorist groups, both foreign and domestic, and we received guidance on how to perform an analysis of our security system, while assessing the vulnerability of our facilities," says Pihera. "The conference also provided our utility with information specifically geared toward our concerns, in a customized fashion."
The Counter-terrorism conference was made possible by a grant given to the American Water Works Association (AWWA) from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). AWWA has since hired expert security consultants to travel to major markets all across the country over the next several months to provide free counsel to local water system managers from member utilities.
Since returning from the conference, and coming back to work in one of Georgia's largest water systems, Pihera has found that a number of security measures recommended by the consultants are already operational at the Authority. Some have been in place since the utility was founded in the early 50's, others since heightened security measures were implemented prior to the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta in '96, and even more since Sept. 11.
"We had already addressed the majority of the critical areas identified and have taken action to make additional improvements," he adds. Yet, security for a public utility is not something that reaches a point where it ends, when counter-terrorism measures can cease.
"Perhaps what we learned most from the conference and since the tragic incidents of Sept. 11, is that system security is an ongoing challenge requiring proactive efforts from everyone-staff and customers alike," says Wade Brannan, general manager of the CCWA, who also attended the conference. And local law enforcement will be involved and active in counter-terrorism efforts at the Authority, too.
Instead of adding another department to take charge of security efforts, Brannan and his staff are recommending to the board, as the consultants also advise, that counter-terrorism initiatives involve staff members from all corners of the Authority's operations. That way, a more comprehensive, effective plan against terrorist threats can be continually updated and improved.
"Security and emergency response will continue to be an ongoing program for us, especially in the area of water production and distribution," says Pihera, whose department oversees this highly visible function of the local utility.
"All of our staff members are being included in security efforts and will play major roles in our perpetual security program."
