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Security and Emergency Preparedness for Small Water and Wastewater Systems
Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP)
RCAP’s Approach
Link vulnerability assessment, risk reduction, and emergency preparedness measures to ongoing tasks of system management and operation.
Emphasis is on training elected officials serving on Boards and Councils.
Sanitary Surveys & Vulnerability Assessments:
A Comparison The EPA/State Joint
Guidance on Sanitary Surveys (December 1995) outlines eight elements as integral components of a sanitary survey.
The 2002 Bioterrorism Act requires the VA to include a review of six areas.
The EPA/State Joint Guidance on Sanitary Surveys (December 1995)
Water source;
Treatment;
Distribution system;
Finished water storage;
Pumps, pump facilities, and controls;
Monitoring, reporting, and data verification;
Water system management and operations; and
Operator compliance with State requirements.
Required areas to review in a VA based on the 2002 Bioterrorism Act
Pipes and constructed conveyances;
Physical barriers;
Water collection, pre- treatment, treatment, storage, and distribution facilities;
Electronic, computer, or other automated systems that are utilized by the public water system;
The use, storage, or handling of various chemicals; and
The operation and maintenance of that system.
Vulnerability Assessment Process
1. Inventory critical system components.
2. Identify vulnerabilities.
3. Identify actions to address vulnerabilities.
4. Prioritize actions.
from ASDWA/NRWA tool
Asset Management Process
1. Take inventory.
2. Prioritize assets.
3. Develop an asset management plan.
4. Implement the plan.
5. Review and revise plan.
from Asset Management: A Handbook for Small Water Systems, EPA 816-R-03-016
What happens if the system or source water is contaminated?
Who will respond to the emergency?
Who will alert community members in order to prevent further illness and death?
What if there is no available water to fight fires?
What if the main pumping station and all access roads fail?
Who would you call?
What if a disgruntled employee or vandal taps
into the distribution line? Do town employees know how to isolate the
line, and who to notify?
Who is responsible for notifying police, emergency crews, and the public if there is an emergency?
Who is responsible for returning water service to normal operations? What will it cost? Where will the money come from?
Emergency Response Plan – Core Elements*
1. System-Specific Information2. CWS Roles and Responsibilities3. Communication Procedures4. Personnel Safety5. Identification of Alternate Water Sources6. Replacement Equipment and Chemical Supplies7. Property Protection8. Water Sampling and Monitoring
* From EPA’s Emergency Response Plan Guidance for Small and Medium Community Water Systems
1. System-Specific Information
System ID or discharge #, population served and service connections
Sanitary survey (if a water system) Standard operating procedures and system
description Distribution map with pressure zones, or collection
map with lift stations, and flow diagrams Site plans and facility “as-built” engineering
drawings Communications system operation Chemical handling and/or storage facilities Site Staffing Rosters and Employees’ Duties and
Responsibilities
2. Community Water System Roles and Responsibilities
Hierarchy of decision-makers– Emergency Response Leader– Alternate Emergency Response Leader
Incident Command System (ICS)
3. Communication Procedures
Who are the first-responders and how can they be contacted?– Internal notification list– External non-CWS notification list
Public notification and instruction
Mitigation
4. Personnel Safety
Protective equipment
Evacuation plans
Communication channels with emergency personnel
5. Identification of Alternate Water Sources
Estimation of needed quantities
Agreements with neighboring systems
Bottled water or bulk water provided by a certified water hauler
Funds to purchase bottled water
6. Replacement Equipment and Chemical Supplies
Relative priority of equipment and supplies
Funds available to have sufficient replacements on hand
Shelf life or periodic inspections of replacements
Policies to acquire and maintain
7. Property Protection
Nature of threat nature of protective response
Access control procedures
Securing buildings against forced entry, and other property protection procedures and measures
Policies and training on protection
8. Water Sampling and Monitoring
Water sampling skills
Water sampling supplies and equipment
Location of, and communication with analytical laboratories
Personnel and training on above
RCAP’s eBulletin: A Resource for Small System Decision-Makers
Electronic news bulletin and technical assistance tool for small water and wastewater systems.
Published every three weeks.
Subscription is free. Funding is from U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Services.
Subscription list is not shared and subscribers can unsubscribe at any time.
Free technical assistance is available through the eBulletin.
Where to find the eBulletin and how to subscribe
www.watertrust.org
A Sample of eBulletin Topics
What Can You Do to Secure Your System? Top Ten Ways to Protect Your Water Supply System
Financial Checkup - How are you doing financially?
Steps to Strategic Planning
Cryptosporidium: Deciphering the LT2
Practical Information for the Rate-Setting Process
A Sample of eBulletin Topics (cont’d.)
Successful CCR's from Across the Nation
How Sanitary is Your Survey?
What to Do When Customers Don't Pay
Water Loss: The Silent Bandit
Straight Talk on Cross Connections
Resources Security Vulnerability Self-Assessment Guide for Small
Drinking Water Systems (ASDWA/NRWA) www.asdwa.org
Emergency Response Plan Guidance for Small and Medium Community Water Systems, EPA 816-R-04-002 www.epa.gov/safewater/security
RCAP’s Safe Drinking Water Trust eBulletin www.watertrust.org
Protecting Your Community’s Assets: A Guide for Small Wastewater Systems, National Env. Training Center for Small Communities www.netc.wvu.edu
Asset Management: A Handbook for Small Water Systems, EPA 816-R-03-016
Resources RCAP Security and Emergency Response Planning
Toolbox for Small Water and Wastewater Systems www.rcap.org
RCAP Vulnerability Assessment and Emergency Response Guides and Templates– Security Vulnerability Self-Assessment Guide for Water
Systems– Emergency Response Planning Guide for Public Drinking
Water Systems– Emergency Response Planning Template for Public Drinking
Water Systems– Emergency Response Planning Guide for Public
Wastewater Systems– Emergency Response Planning Template for Public
Wastewater Systems
www.rcap.org
For more information
Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP)
(888) 321-7227 www.rcap.org
