Water security and emergency preparedness
Encyclopedia
Water security consists of the systems and actions required to protect a water supply
from natural disaster
s, security threats, accidental and intentional contamination
, and other vulnerabilities.
(EPA), “Improving the security of our nation's drinking water
and wastewater
infrastructures has become a top priority since the events of 9/11. Significant actions are underway to assess and reduce vulnerabilities to potential terrorist attacks; to plan for and practice response to emergencies and incidents; and to develop new security technologies to detect and monitor contaminants and prevent security breaches.”
One of the most important elements of water security
is early and accurate contamination detection. The EPA has issued advisory material and guidelines for contamination warning systems to be implemented in water utilities and supplies. The security challenges that utilities frequently revolve around fast detection, accuracy, and the ability to take fast action when there is a water problem. If contamination is detected early enough, it can be prevented from reaching consumer
s, and emergency water supplies can be put into effect.
In cases where contamination might still reach consumers, fast and efficient communication systems are necessary. All these factors also point to the need for organized and practiced emergency procedure
s and preparedness.
More recently, under the Drinking Water Security Act of 2009, the EPA is now required to establish risk-based performance standards for community water systems serving more than 3,300 people.
Cincinnati Water Works, San Francisco, and New York City
are among the major water utilities that have taken water security measures at their facilities, such as planning for contamination warning systems.
and customer complaint data, water quality
monitoring equipment, sampling and analysis, situation management software, and physical security. Crisis management
and recovery, for when critical water events occur, includes flow control and security valves, rapid and effective communication systems, and emergency water supply equipment.
Specific technologies involved in water security are SCADA
, GIS (geographic information system
), online (real-time) water quality
monitoring devices, contamination warning systems, portable contamination detection devices, security valves, security cameras and fences, situation management/emergency management software
, emergency supply tanks, personal purification
devices, and counter-terrorism
intelligence.
The Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (WaterISAC), at www.waterisac.org, is the US water sector's security and emergency response information source. This nonprofit service provides US, Canadian, and Australian drinking water and wastewater utilities with the information they need to heighten the protection of water collection and delivery infrastructure. Eligible members of the water sector have access to a clearinghouse of government and private documents, guides, best practices, handbooks, and contaminant databases. WaterISAC is also a peer-to-peer, business networking platform. Together, these resources are used by utility managers to identify risks, prepare for emergencies, and secure the nation's critical water infrastructure
and the environment
.
American Water Works Association
, www.AWWA.org
International Water Association
(IWA) http://www.iwahq.org/Home/Development/Disaster_Risk_Management/, a global network of 10,000 water professionals spanning the continuum between research and practice and covering all facets of the water cycle
.
World Environment Federation “The Water Quality People” http://www.wef.org/
The Israeli Holistic Approach to Water Security draws from 70 years of experience in national security
and water management
. Nations such as the US
, UK
, Spain
, and others are collaborating with Israeli experts in water security standards.
Water supply
Water supply is the provision of water by public utilities, commercial organisations, community endeavours or by individuals, usually via a system of pumps and pipes...
from natural disaster
Natural disaster
A natural disaster is the effect of a natural hazard . It leads to financial, environmental or human losses...
s, security threats, accidental and intentional contamination
Contamination
Contamination is the presence of a minor and unwanted constituent in material, physical body, natural environment, at a workplace, etc.-Specifics:"Contamination" also has more specific meanings in science:...
, and other vulnerabilities.
Water utility security
According to the United States Environmental Protection AgencyUnited States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
(EPA), “Improving the security of our nation's drinking water
Drinking water
Drinking water or potable water is water pure enough to be consumed or used with low risk of immediate or long term harm. In most developed countries, the water supplied to households, commerce and industry is all of drinking water standard, even though only a very small proportion is actually...
and wastewater
Wastewater
Wastewater is any water that has been adversely affected in quality by anthropogenic influence. It comprises liquid waste discharged by domestic residences, commercial properties, industry, and/or agriculture and can encompass a wide range of potential contaminants and concentrations...
infrastructures has become a top priority since the events of 9/11. Significant actions are underway to assess and reduce vulnerabilities to potential terrorist attacks; to plan for and practice response to emergencies and incidents; and to develop new security technologies to detect and monitor contaminants and prevent security breaches.”
One of the most important elements of water security
Water security
Water security is the capacity of a population to ensure that they continue to have access to potable water. It is an increasing concern arising from population growth, drought, climate change, oscillation between El Nino and La Nina effects, urbanisation, salinity, upstream pollution,...
is early and accurate contamination detection. The EPA has issued advisory material and guidelines for contamination warning systems to be implemented in water utilities and supplies. The security challenges that utilities frequently revolve around fast detection, accuracy, and the ability to take fast action when there is a water problem. If contamination is detected early enough, it can be prevented from reaching consumer
Consumer
Consumer is a broad label for any individuals or households that use goods generated within the economy. The concept of a consumer occurs in different contexts, so that the usage and significance of the term may vary.-Economics and marketing:...
s, and emergency water supplies can be put into effect.
In cases where contamination might still reach consumers, fast and efficient communication systems are necessary. All these factors also point to the need for organized and practiced emergency procedure
Emergency procedure
An emergency is a serious, unexpected, often dangerous situation that requires immediate action. The emergency procedure is a plan of actions to be conducted in a certain order or manner, in response to an emergency event.-Need for Emergency Procedures:...
s and preparedness.
Regulation
Since 2002, under the Bioterrorism Act, a water utility supplying more than 3,300 people must take at least the following measures to ensure security of the water supply:- Conduct an assessment of the facility’s vulnerabilities to vandalismVandalismVandalism is the behaviour attributed originally to the Vandals, by the Romans, in respect of culture: ruthless destruction or spoiling of anything beautiful or venerable...
, insider sabotageSabotageSabotage is a deliberate action aimed at weakening another entity through subversion, obstruction, disruption, or destruction. In a workplace setting, sabotage is the conscious withdrawal of efficiency generally directed at causing some change in workplace conditions. One who engages in sabotage is...
, or terrorist attack, and submit the report to the EPA. - Show that the facility has an up-to-date emergency response plan, should an incident occur.
More recently, under the Drinking Water Security Act of 2009, the EPA is now required to establish risk-based performance standards for community water systems serving more than 3,300 people.
Cincinnati Water Works, San Francisco, and New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
are among the major water utilities that have taken water security measures at their facilities, such as planning for contamination warning systems.
Water utility security components
Security of a water supply involves a range of elements. Prevention and detection systems include some or all of the following: access to public healthPublic health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
and customer complaint data, water quality
Water quality
Water quality is the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water. It is a measure of the condition of water relative to the requirements of one or more biotic species and or to any human need or purpose. It is most frequently used by reference to a set of standards against which...
monitoring equipment, sampling and analysis, situation management software, and physical security. Crisis management
Crisis management
Crisis management is the process by which an organization deals with a major event that threatens to harm the organization, its stakeholders, or the general public. The study of crisis management originated with the large scale industrial and environmental disasters in the 1980's.Shrivastava, P....
and recovery, for when critical water events occur, includes flow control and security valves, rapid and effective communication systems, and emergency water supply equipment.
Specific technologies involved in water security are SCADA
SCADA
SCADA generally refers to industrial control systems : computer systems that monitor and control industrial, infrastructure, or facility-based processes, as described below:...
, GIS (geographic information system
Geographic Information System
A geographic information system, geographical information science, or geospatial information studies is a system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of geographically referenced data...
), online (real-time) water quality
Water quality
Water quality is the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water. It is a measure of the condition of water relative to the requirements of one or more biotic species and or to any human need or purpose. It is most frequently used by reference to a set of standards against which...
monitoring devices, contamination warning systems, portable contamination detection devices, security valves, security cameras and fences, situation management/emergency management software
Emergency management software
Emergency management software is the software used by local, state and federal emergency management personnel to deal with a wide range of disasters and can take many forms...
, emergency supply tanks, personal purification
Water purification
Water purification is the process of removing undesirable chemicals, materials, and biological contaminants from contaminated water. The goal is to produce water fit for a specific purpose...
devices, and counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism is the practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, militaries, police departments and corporations adopt to prevent or in response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.The tactic of terrorism is available to insurgents and governments...
intelligence.
Notable water security organizations
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Water Security DepartmentThe Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (WaterISAC), at www.waterisac.org, is the US water sector's security and emergency response information source. This nonprofit service provides US, Canadian, and Australian drinking water and wastewater utilities with the information they need to heighten the protection of water collection and delivery infrastructure. Eligible members of the water sector have access to a clearinghouse of government and private documents, guides, best practices, handbooks, and contaminant databases. WaterISAC is also a peer-to-peer, business networking platform. Together, these resources are used by utility managers to identify risks, prepare for emergencies, and secure the nation's critical water infrastructure
Infrastructure
Infrastructure is basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise, or the services and facilities necessary for an economy to function...
and the environment
Natural environment
The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region thereof. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species....
.
American Water Works Association
American Water Works Association
American Water Works Association was established as an international non-profit professional organization dedicated to the improvement of water quality and supply. Founded in 1881, it claims a membership of around 56,000 members worldwide as of 2010.AWWA has become the largest organization of...
, www.AWWA.org
International Water Association
International Water Association
The International Water Association is a self-governing non-profit organization which aims to cover all facets of the water cycle. The body is headquartered in London, with a global secreteriat based in The Hague and offices in Beijing, Bucharest, Nairobi, Singapore and Washington DC.The group's...
(IWA) http://www.iwahq.org/Home/Development/Disaster_Risk_Management/, a global network of 10,000 water professionals spanning the continuum between research and practice and covering all facets of the water cycle
Water cycle
The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle or H2O cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth. Water can change states among liquid, vapor, and solid at various places in the water cycle...
.
World Environment Federation “The Water Quality People” http://www.wef.org/
International leaders
IsraelThe Israeli Holistic Approach to Water Security draws from 70 years of experience in national security
National security
National security is the requirement to maintain the survival of the state through the use of economic, diplomacy, power projection and political power. The concept developed mostly in the United States of America after World War II...
and water management
Water management
Water management is the activity of planning, developing, distributing and managing the optimum use of water resources. In an ideal world. water management planning has regard to all the competing demands for water and seeks to allocate water on an equitable basis to satisfy all uses and demands...
. Nations such as the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, and others are collaborating with Israeli experts in water security standards.
External links
- http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/terror/RL32189.pdf
- http://cfpub.epa.gov/safewater/watersecurity/index.cfm
- http://www.dwa.org/water_info/security.asp
- http://www.fda.gov/RegulatoryInformation/Legislation/ucm155780.htm
- http://w-watersecurity.com/water-security-database.html
- Vandals spill millions of gallons of water from reservoir
- Botox toxin warned to be potent bio-weapon through food/water supplies
- E. Coli Found in Connecticut elementary School's Water Supply
- Fast action by utility employee stops potential contamination
- 117 Russians hospitalized after drinking contaminated holy water