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Facility Security

AWWA, DHS Offer Roadmap to Secure Control Systems

April 15, 2008

ASCE Seeks Comment on Wastewater Infrastructure Security

March 7, 2008

Network Power

December 4, 2007By Frank Madren

Internet-protocol systems can offer another layer of protection

Since 2001, communities have increased their investment in water security efforts. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency gave $51 million in grants in fiscal 2002 for vulnerability assessments and has since provided more than $150 million for tools, training, and technical assistance to the water sector, states, and other groups, according to Jennifer B. Nuzzo, a senior analyst for the Center for Biosecurity at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

A New Standard for Rescue Systems

October 1, 2007By Craig Firl

ANSI recognizes that every second counts in an emergency

The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) defines a confined space as an area that has limited openings for entry and exit, has poor natural ventilation that can pose serious risks, and is not designed for continuous occupancy by workers.

Keeping Watch : Effectively

July 1, 2007By Steve Kovacs

Intrusion detection system provides some protection to treatment facilities

Municipalities across the country are realizing that protection of water resources deserves an increased priority and focus. The cost and consequences of contamination as a result of a mischievous child, a vagrant wandering onto the property, or a terrorist looking to inflict maximum harm can be catastrophic.

Drinking Water Utilities Sought for Contaminant Warning System Pilot Projects

June 25, 2007

The Show Must Go On

May 1, 2006By Bob Radvanovsky, CISM, CIFI

Keeping water and wastewater services running during a crisis depends on securing facilities at multiple levels

Critical infrastructures are industrial sectors based on areas of utilization and specialty that are critically vital to the continued operations and maintainability of our nation's way of life. Several sectors are more important than others, either based upon financial or human risk factors.

A Watertight Design

May 1, 2005By Jason Goodman

Engineering firm enters security market, guards drinking water

There was a time when Wunderlich-Malec, a Minnesota-based engineering, process control, and system integration firm, focused primarily on making sure production lines ran as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

The Heat is On

May 1, 2005By Mike Studer

Finding the resources to secure our most precious resource -- using thermal imaging cameras to guard water treatment plants

The lack of attacks launched against water treatment plants is by no means an indication that they are invincible. While treatment plants aren't typically seen as high profile targets, they are at risk of infiltration and/or sabotage. Plants, many of which are based in or near residential areas, purify water for vast regions. Destroying or disabling a single facility could devastate an entire national region for an indefinite amount of time and create a real sense of uneasiness among those forced to suffer without water for a long time to come.

Stemming the Tide of Terrorism

January 1, 2005By Robert M. Anderson, Esq., Paul C. Freeman, Esq.

Significant efforts are being undertaken at the federal level to protect the nation's drinking water resources from becoming a primary medium for terrorist attacks

Immediately following the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, the city of New York and a group of federal, state, and local authorities took steps to secure and maintain the city's lifeline: its drinking water supply system.

Vulnerability Assessments: A Key to Water Security

May 1, 2004By Mike Flory, REM

Guidelines for keeping community water systems safe and secure

There is a bumper sticker that I see from time to time that reads "Water is Life." The sticker, I believe, originated from the Texas Water Commission, a former regulatory agency headquartered in Austin, Texas. There is quite an accurate statement on the sticker, as has become more apparent in today's world.

On the Alert

July 1, 2003By Robert Ferguson

Biosensors are being used as early warning systems to detect chemical contaminants in drinking water

Drinking water professionals know that the quality of raw or finished water supplies may be adversely impacted by a number of contaminants, including petroleum products from leaking tanks or pipelines, insecticides and herbicides from agricultural runoff, pathogens from untreated sewage discharges and others.

The First Line of Defense

May 1, 2003By Yong Kim, PhD

Disinfection and monitoring can be used as measures to protect drinking water plants against terrorism

Public drinking water plants seeking to guard against the threat of terrorist attacks might do well to review and enhance some of the technology they already have on site.

Homeland Defense and Security Resources

November 1, 2002By Water and Wastewater News Staff

The preparedness effort is moving ahead with so much information and so many perceived threats, it seems impossible to stay fully informed

Weapons of Mass Destruction -- Any device, material, or substance used in a manner, in a quantity or type, or under circumstances evidencing an intent to cause death or serious injury to persons or significant damage to property.