Water Infrastructure Security Enhancement (WISE) Workshops 2008

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), along with the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the American Water Works Association (AWWA), has joined efforts to support the improvement of our Nation's water and wastewater security. Under the Water Infrastructure Security Enhancements (WISE) project, these three organizations have developed a series of voluntary guidelines, thanks to a grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In its effort to make these guidelines more widely available to water and wastewater industry professionals, ASCE is sponsoring a set of training workshops based on the WISE guidelines. These WISE Workshops will be conducted as part of the EPA grant, and are free of charge to attendees.

• August 5, 2008 – Atlanta, GA
• August 6, 2008 – Reston, VA
• August 12, 2008 – Dallas, TX
• September 9, 2008 – Los Angeles, CA
• September 23, 2008 – Seattle, WA

Please click here for workshop agenda and registration information.

The sessions will be held October 14-15, 2008 in Chicago, IL; November 5-6, 2008 in San Francisco, CA; and January 7-8, 2009 in Atlanta, GA.  For more details, including a preliminary agenda and to download a registration form click here.

EPA Emergency Response to Contamination of Wastewater Systems Training
This workshop will introduce participants to the Wastewater Response Protocol Toolbox (Toolbox), a new guidance tool being released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Toolbox addresses planning for and responding to incidents of intentional and accidental contamination of wastewater systems.  This workshop is a combination of facilitated discussion (Day 1) and extended classroom activity (Day 2).  Go to http://www.teex.org/WWRPTB.

New Publication on Water Security and Law Enforcement
Law enforcement provides a critical role in threat identification, protection, and investigation and should be integrated into the overall protection framework at the local, state, and federal levels. A workbook on water-sector security was developed to increase the awareness of law enforcement personnel to some of the threats and other security issues surrounding public drinking water supplies and wastewater facilities and to help facilitate integration and coordination at the local level.  For a copy, please email jsullivan@wef.org

WEF continues to be a leader in assisting water and wastewater (water sector) utilities prevent, respond and recover from natural disasters and man-made (terrorist) threats.  Primarily this work is conducted in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through grants and cooperative agreements.

WEF has been working since 2002 to train water sector managers and operators of all size utilities to assess and manage risk.  Previous training programs have focused on large, medium, and small publicly-owned treatment works (POTWs) and Community Water Systems (CWS), as well as train-the-trainer sessions for state and local training and assistance providers.

In 2007, WEF completed a five-year program, funded by a cooperative agreement with EPA, which trained more than 1,800 individuals from 1,200 POTWs utilities on how to complete a vulnerability assessment of their facility and update their emergency response plan based on that assessment.  No federal mandate currently exists for water sector utilities to conduct a vulnerability assessment or update their emergency response plan and WEF is not currently offering vulnerability assessment and emergency response training.  However you may request a copy of the training materials offered at this training session through securityreg@wef.org.  

Currently , WEF is coordinating with other sectors including energy, transportation, and information technology to examine the interdependencies of water and wastewater (water sector) utilities on other critical infrastructure sectors. All of the WEF training and resource development related to water sector security is offered at no cost to the water sector as a public service and in cooperation with EPA, the Department of Homeland Security, and other federal, state, and local agencies.

In addition, WEF continues to partner with federal, state, and local government, as well as other partners on all security and emergency response issues.  The water sector is one of eighteen critical infrastructure and key resources identified by the federal government through the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) which provides a general overview of the roles and responsibilities for government entities, and other partners regarding security and emergency response issues for the nation.  In addition, the Water Sector Specific Plan (SSP) outlines goals and objectives for water and wastewater (water sector) utilities.  A copy of the Water SSP, along with other plans for the nation's critical infrastructure, is available for download at http://www.dhs.gov/xprevprot/programs/gc_1179866197607.shtm

Water Infrastructure Security Enhancements Project
The security of our nation’s water infrastructure is of critical importance, particularly in the post-September 11 environment. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and the Water Environment Federation (WEF), with a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), have developed a comprehensive program to address physical infrastructure security needs for water supply, wastewater and stormwater, and online contaminant monitoring systems. As a result of this partnership, the following initiatives were accomplished:
• Phase I - Guidance Documents
• Phase II - Training Materials
• Phase III - Voluntary Draft Standard Guidelines for Trial Use
• Phase IV – WISE Overview & Awareness

Wastewater Threat Document
In June, 2005 WEF released the Wastewater Threat Document under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. EPA. The document is designed for managers and operators of wastewater management systems to better understand and address potential vulnerabilities of, and threats to, their facilities. The project was initiated with a stakeholder meeting including officials from federal, state, and local government agencies; wastewater management systems; law enforcement personnel; emergency responders; academia; and other individuals. The document provides insight on two issues: (1) a process for identification of security vulnerabilities across wastewater management systems, and (2) threats to wastewater management system assets, on which system risk managers could base their vulnerability assessments.
The document is available at no-cost by accessing www.waterisac.org.

Water Sector Security Stakeholder Workshops
Along with the USEPA and eight partner organizations, WEF hosted three regional water sector stakeholder workshops in 2005.  The primary purpose of each of these workshops was to provide water and wastewater (water sector) utilities and other key stakeholders a format to develop a list of trends and needs to enhance the overall security of the nation. In addition participants helped to develop recommendations on how to best meet the identified needs. A final report is available by accessing www.epa.gov/NHSRC.

Protecting the Water Sector from Security Threats
To obtain a copy of the publication, click here.

U.S. EPA Water Security Webpage
This Web site provides resources for water utilities, state and local governments, public health officials, emergency responders and planners, assistance and training providers, environmental professionals, researchers and engineers, and law enforcement, among others.

US Department of Homeland Security
This website provides a wealth of information on homeland security, including information on protecting our infrastructure (look under Research and Technology ). Also view an abundance of information under Emergencies and Disasters , including fact sheets, security plans, family preparedness tip sheets, and more.

Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC)
ISAC refers to a formal information technology communication system designed to inform staff concerned with, or responsible for, the smooth operation of designated critical infrastructures. An ISAC allows for dissemination of early warnings and alerts, concerning threats to the integrity and steady operation of the infrastructures. An ISAC also provides a process for staff to report risks and incidents that may be of concern to others nationally

Centers for Disease Control - Public Health Emergency Preparedness & Response
Latest information on public health threats including: CDC's Initiative; Events, Meetings, and Conferences; Notification Procedures for State and Local Public Health Officials; and facts about Anthrax, Botulism, Pneumonic Plague, Smallpox

US Fire Administration Critical Infrastructure Protection Information Center
This link to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), which is part of the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), contains a Critical Infrastructure Protection Information Center dedicated to ensuring the protection of the nation's infrastructure, including water and wastewater systems.