Wastewater security resources on the Web

by Ann Murray
NETCSC Contributing Writer

Concerns about the safety of the nation’s public infrastructure were raised soon after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Although much of the water community’s attention has been focused on drinking water system security, more and more security resources are being developed for wastewater utilities. Below are several Web sites and downloadable tools that can help wastewater system personnel keep their plants, employees, customers, and the environment safe from intentional threats and natural disasters.

NETCSC wastewater security guide

Protecting Your Community’s Assets: A Guide for Small Wastewater Systems, a new guide developed by the National Environmental Training Center for Small Communities (NETCSC), is now available for download at no charge from NETCSC’s Web site located at www.netc.wvu.edu.

This easy-to-use guide uses a workbook format that will help utility managers, operators, and local officials look at their system’s vulnerabilities and identify ways to reduce
them. The guide is arranged as a set of checklists and planning tools that address a variety of wastewater security threats, including natural disasters, vandalism, and acts of terrorism. The vulnerability assessment checklist has a simple design based on providing “yes” or
“no” answers to a series of questions. Each question includes helpful information and advice for users to consider.

The guide is also available in hard copy form. Call NETCSC at (800) 624-8301 or (304) 293-4191 to request a free copy.

WEF/APWA wastewater security Webcast

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) and American Public Works Association’s (APWA) Webcast, "Wastewater Security Training: Reducing Vulnerability to Both Intentional Threats and Natural Disasters," can now be downloaded at www.apwa.net/education/cll. This two-hour Webcast was originally broadcast November 20, 2002.

The presentation summarizes general vulnerability assessment principles and provides an overview of the Vulnerability Security Assessment Tool (VSAT) software, which was developed by the Association of Metropolitan
Sewerage Agencies (AMSA) with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). VSAT is a comprehensive software tool that helps wastewater utility professionals evaluate, prioritize, and remediate vulnerabilities based upon five critical utility assets: the physical plant, information technology, knowledge base, employees, and customers.

The Webcast is presented in Windows Media and is formatted to stream audio and video.

VSAT user site

The VSAT user site at www.VSATusers.net, allows users to register VSATsoftware, upgrade software, or order new software. It also provides answers to frequently asked questions and locates VSAT training locations. The VSAT software is available free of charge to all public wastewater utilities and public and private water utilities.

AMSA software tools

In early 2003, AMSA—the VSAT software developer—released two additional vulnerability assessment software tools: one for small to medium-sized water utilities and one for joint water/wastewater utilities. The latter software tool provides online vulnerability assessment capabilities to utilities that provide both waste-water treatment and water supply services. These new tools, developed by AMSA through a cooperative agreement with the EPA, provide a user-friendly approach to evaluate, prioritize, and correct vulnerabilities. To order these free software tools, visit the VSAT user site at www.VSATusers.net and click on "VSAT water" or "VSAT water/wastewater."

AMSA’s publication, Asset-Based Vulnerability Checklist for Wastewater Utilities, is also available for purchase through AMSA’s Web site located at www.amsa-cleanwater.org.

Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center

Developed by the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) in conjunction with the EPAand the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC) is now up and running. Located at www.waterisac.org, this secure site gathers, analyzes, and disseminates threat information specific to the water community. The site relies on information gathered from utilities’security incident reports and federal law enforcement, intelligence, public health, and environmental agencies to provide alerts of potential terrorist activity.

Water ISAC analysts offer physical and cyber security information. In addition, the site provides a link between utilities and federal agencies and allows subscribers to discuss sensitive issues via secure chat rooms and electronic bulletin boards. It also offers access to research and other security and emergency planning resources. Resources include databases of chemical, biological, and radiological agents and a list of vulnerability assessment and emergency response tools. Subscriptions for the WaterISAC are available to water and wastewater utilities. Fees are based on the number of people the utility serves and range from $750 to $7,500.

The Infrastructure Security Partnership

The Infrastructure Security Partnership (TISP) is an “association of associations and agencies,” sponsored by the American Society of Civil Engineers, that collabo-
rates on issues related to the security of the nation’s infrastructure. Its Web site, located at www.tisp.org, is a free, comprehensive online resource offering the latest
information about products, research, tools, and techniques that can be used to protect critical infrastructure, such as bridges, buildings, water supply systems, and wastewater systems. Membership is currently open to non-profit U.S.-based local, state, and federal agencies; professional associations; indus-
try trade groups; code and standards organizations; universities; and associations of infrastructure developers, owners, and operators whose main purpose is related to
the design and construction of the nation’s infrastructure. There are presently no fees or dues associated with membership.