Security and Emergency Preparedness for Small Water and Wastewater Systems

1. Security and Emergency Preparedness for Small Water and Wastewater Systems Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP)

2. 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.

3. 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. Sanitary Surveys & Vulnerability Assessments: A Comparison

4. 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. The EPA/State Joint Guidance on Sanitary Surveys (December 1995)

5. 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. Required areas to review in a VA based on the 2002 Bioterrorism Act

6. Vulnerability Assessment Process Inventory critical system components. Identify vulnerabilities. Identify actions to address vulnerabilities. Prioritize actions. from ASDWA/NRWA tool Asset Management Process Take inventory. Prioritize assets. Develop an asset management plan. Implement the plan. Review and revise plan. from Asset Management: A Handbook for Small Water Systems, EPA 816-R-03-016

8. 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?

9. 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?

10. 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?

11. Emergency Response Plan – Core Elements* • System-Specific Information • CWS Roles and Responsibilities • Communication Procedures • Personnel Safety • Identification of Alternate Water Sources • Replacement Equipment and Chemical Supplies • Property Protection • Water Sampling and Monitoring * From EPA’s Emergency Response Plan Guidance for Small and Medium Community Water Systems

12. 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

13. 2.Community Water System Roles and Responsibilities • Hierarchy of decision-makers • Emergency Response Leader • Alternate Emergency Response Leader • Incident Command System (ICS)

14. 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

15. 4. Personnel Safety • Protective equipment • Evacuation plans • Communication channels with emergency personnel

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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.

21. Where to find the eBulletin and how to subscribe • www.watertrust.org

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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 Communitieswww.netc.wvu.edu • Asset Management: A Handbook for Small Water Systems, EPA 816-R-03-016

26. 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

27. For more information Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) (888) 321-7227 www.rcap.org Jbarrett@rcap.org