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Chapter I
Introduction
Our nation has learned that it is not invulnerable to global or domestic terrorism, and
recent events have heightened concern regarding the vulnerabilities of critical
infrastructures, including the public water systems, to deliberate attack. The
consequences of an attack on water systems could be substantial, and even a small-scale
attack could lead to widespread panic and a loss of confidence in the water system.
Efforts are underway at many water and wastewater utilities to reduce the vulnerabilities
of the nation's water systems and develop appropriate levels of preparedness to respond
to future attacks. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) holds lead
responsibility for protecting the nation's water systems (Office of Homeland Security,
2002) and is currently working with other federal, state, and local government agencies,
water and wastewater utilities, and professional associations to improve water security.
To support its water security responsibilities, the EPA in a joint activity of the Water
Protection Task Force and the National Homeland Security Research Center recently
developed the Water Security Research and Technical Support Action Plan (Action Plan)
(EPA, 2003a). The Action Plan identifies security issues for drinking water and
wastewater, which make up the major sections of the document (Sections 3.1-3.6, 4.0,
and 5.0~. The Action Plan also outlines research and technical support needs within these
issues' and presents a prioritized list of projects to address these needs (See boxes 3-1 to
3-8 for listings of the needs and projects identified in the Action Plan). The research and
technical support projects identified in the Action Plan are intended to provide products
that wild be timely, functional, and responsive to water security needs. The document
presents a schedule for implementing the identified projects and will be used to determine
EPA funding priorities for water security research and technical support efforts over the
next three years. A subsequent draft the Water Security Research and Technical Support
Implementation Plan (Implementation Plan) (EPA, 2003b) provides additional
descriptions of the projects identified in the Action Plan, and it presents minor revisions
to the scheduling of the projects.
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62
A Review of the EPA Water Security Action Plan
GENESIS OF THIS STUDY AND CHARGE TO THE PANEL
The EPA approached the National Academies in the fall of 2002 seeking expert
scientific advice on its homeland security efforts. Subsequently, the Academies' National
Research Council (NRC) undertook a study that would assess the EPA's efforts to
advance the state of knowledge related to
threat detection, mitigation, and
decontamination and to develop information and technologies for use in preventing and
mitigating the effects of chemical and biological attacks. To carry out this study, the
NRC has appointed two expert panels, focusing on the topics of water system security
and building decontamination. The NRC panels will provide consultations to the EPA on
a continuing basis on specific aspects of the program as requested and produce several
short reports.
This report summarizes the findings of the Panel on Water System Security Research,
which is overseen by the NRC's Water Science and Technology Board. The pane] was
asked to review the EPA Action Plan, and this report summarizes the conclusions of the
2.
second phase of this review, focusing specifically on the panel's Statement of Task
questions #2 and #3, listed in bold below:
Has the Action Plan completely and accurately identified important issues and
needs in the water security arena? If not, what issues and needs should be added
or removed?
Are the needs appropriately sequenced within the issues? If not, what
adjustments are warranted and why?
Are the projects recommended for funding in the Action Plan appropriate to
meet the water security needs? Are the projects correctly prioritized and
sequenced? Is the timing of the projects, as identified in the Action Plan
appendix, realistic? If not, what adjustments are warranted and why?
Overall, what changes to the Action Plan are recommended to improve its
presentation in terms of content and structure so as to more clearly convey the
water security research and technical support program that is described?
The panel's first report (see Part I) addressed task questions #1 and #4, providing an
overarching review of the Action Plan and the research and technical support needs.
Several additional water security needs were identified, and modifications or changes in
emphasis were suggested. Part I recommended increased attention to interagency
coordination and encouraged reconsideration of current restrictions on secure information
dissemination. It further suggested that EPA incorporate the results of their research
activities into integrated water security guidance for water and wastewater utilities. The
report also highlighted some of the unique characteristics of small utilities that the EPA
should consider when planning its water security effort. This second short report
provides a more detailed review of the projects identified in the Action Plan and their
prioritization and scheduling. Chapter 2 provides genera] organizing principles for
prioritizing activities in the area of water security. Chapter 3 contains a focused review
of the specific projects identified in the Action Plan, and it suggests modifications and
~ The National Academies consists of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy
of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The National Research Council is the advisory arm
ofthe National Academies.
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Introduction
63
additional projects to strengthen the water security research and technical support
program.
Representative terms from entire chapter:
water security
