Is Your Water System Safe?
by Harry J. Barford Jr., PE
January 2002

Risk Assessment Requirements for Public Water Systems Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness

Overview
The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), as amended in 1996, requires many actions to protect drinking water and its sources. The SDWA authorizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to set health-based standards for drinking water protection from naturally occurring and man-made contaminants. Drinking water safety cannot be taken for granted.

Protection and Prevention
The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 states that each state is responsible for mandating programs for the Vulnerability Assessment (VA) and an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) for each Public Water System (which may be publicly or privately owned). USEPA has set the standards by which each state will framework the VA and ERP.

USEPA has set the following schedules for compliance:
March 31, 2003 — Systems serving a population of 100,000 or more
December 31, 2003 — Systems serving a population of 50,000 or more - but less then 100,000
June 30, 2004 — Systems serving a population greater then 3,300 - but less then 50,000

Compliance and Enforcement
National drinking water standards are legally enforceable, which means that both USEPA and states can take enforcement action against water systems that fail to conduct either the VA or ERP, or fail to provide the VA and the certifications to USEPA.

Funding
Funding was available to assist in the preparation of the VA for water systems serving populations of 100,000 or more. We are hoping more funding will be allocated to help defray some of the costs for future VA.

How to Prepare a VA and ERP
Carroll Engineering Corporation is "CERTIFIED" to prepare the VA and ERP. We have been trained in Risk Assessment Methodology for Water (RAM-W) by certified instructors trained by the Sandia National Laboratory associated with DOD and DOE in Albuquerque, NM. USEPA recognizes this methodology as the approved method in the preparation of these assessments and reports.

Carroll Engineering Corporation is prepared to represent you in the preparation and certification of your Vulnerability Assessment and Emergency Response Plans. We are available to meet with you to explain the requirements of the plans and the steps necessary for approved completion.