AWWA JAW56643

Continuing White House warnings that further terrorist attacks are all but certain have brought heightened attention to bioterrorism risks faced by thousands of American water suppliers and triggered actions by the water supply community, the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and Congress to address the threat. Those actions include: training seminars in vulnerability assessment (VA) and developing security plans; enhanced coordination with federal, state and local law enforcement; physical security improvements; implementation of tougher policies; federal support for completing critical VAs and updating emergency response plans (ERPs) to reflect findings from such assessments; and, a broad-based bioterrorism bill (HR3448) passed by Congress that includes provisions that add new drinking water security and safety requirements to the Safe Drinking Water Act. Specifically, the new law requires USEPA to provide baselineinformation by August 1, 2002 on probable threatsthat should be addressed in VAs and to developguidance for small systems on completing VAsand ERPs. The new law also extends USEPA'semergency powers authority to cover threatenedor potential terrorist or other intentional attacksand increases fines and prison terms for tamperingwith water systems.

Product Details

Edition:

Vol. 94 - No. 7

Published:

07/01/2002

Number of Pages:

7

File Size:

1 file , 300 KB