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The Water Security & Emergency Response Knowledge Center offers the most complete technical information available, including research, books, and conference proceedings as well as training and networking opportunities.
About Water Security and Emergency Response
Water and wastewater utilities have a long and distinguished history of protecting public health and the environment. Following the events of September |
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 | 11, 2001 and subsequent natural disasters, all levels of government, as well as the private sector, are partnering with water utilities to prevent, respond, and recover from natural disasters and manmade (terrorist) threats.
What are you looking for?
Wastewater Threat Document
June 2005. Designed for managers and operators of wastewater management systems to better understand and address potential vulnerabilities of and threats to their facilities. Available at no cost at www.waterisac.org.
Water Sector Security Stakeholder Workshops
Final report from three regional water sector stakeholder workshops hosted by WEF, the U.S. EPA, and eight partner organizations in 2005. Provides water and wastewater utilities a format to develop a list of trends and needs to enhance the overall security of the nation. Available at www.epa.gov/NHSRC.
Protecting the Water Sector from Security Threats
Click here.
General Security Information & Resources
A collection of resources on general security, water security, and other sector security.
Water Infrastructure Security Enhancement (WISE) Workshops 2008
Workshop agenda and registration information
- September 9, 2008 – Los Angeles, CA
- September 23, 2008 – Seattle, WA
Training on Water Sector Interdependencies
Training program focused on the interdependencies among the water sector and other key critical infrastructures sectors including energy, information technology, and transportation. Eligible participants include water and wastewater (water sector) utility executives and managers, as well as key lead representatives from other key sectors. The training will be provided at no-cost to participants.
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. Preliminary agenda and registration form.
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. EPA. The Toolbox addresses planning for and responding to incidents of intentional and accidental contamination of wastewater systems. Includes both 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 Assists Water and Wastewater Utilities With Assessing and Managing Risk
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.
WEF Studies Relationship of Water Utilities to Other Infrastructure Sectors
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.
WEF Partners with Government on Security Issues
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:
Links to other Internet sites are provided as a convenience and as a courtesy for educational and informational purposes only. The Water Environment Federation is not responsible for the availability, accuracy or content of these external sites; nor does the Federation endorse, warrant or guarantee the products, services, opinions or information described on these sites.
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.
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