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Drinking Water Security & Emergency Preparedness
National Information
Working closely with the state drinking water and wastewater programs, the EPA mid-Atlantic office implements a security and emergency preparedness program in support of the Water Sector Specific Plan (PDF) (134 pp, 2.8MB, About PDF).
On this page:
- Training and staff preparedness
- Collaboration/partnerships
- Upcoming Tabletop Exercises
- Facility specific progress
- Water security initiative - contaminant warning system
Training and Staff Preparedness: The EPA mid-Atlantic region plans to implement a comprehensive internal water training program in order to ensure that EPA personnel and our contractors are well equipped, trained, and practiced to respond quickly and effectively to an event which impacts drinking water or wastewater facilities.
- will foster a response network with other federal agencies, states, and locals
- will continue coordination efforts in the National Capital Region (Washington, DC and the surrounding counties and independent cities in Maryland and Virginia)
- will continue a high level of collaboration with the water sector partners to educate, to raise awareness of available resources and training, and to encourage protective actions across the water sector
- EPA mid-Atlantic staff are available to participate in exercises with others - contact Patti Kay Wisniewski (wisniewski.patti-kay@epa.gov).
Upcoming Tabletop Exercises: A Tabletop Exercise is a valuable tool for bringing together water utilities and local responders to discuss roles and responsibilities in responding to events. Over the past two years, EPA and the states have conducted more than 50 tabletop exercises in Pennsylvania and Virginia. In 2011, more exercises are planned in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and the District of Columbia. Lessons learned, tips and inexpensive steps that utilities in Virginia (PDF) (2 pg, 828K About PDF) and Pennsylvania (2 pg, 208K About PDF) can take to increase emergency preparedness. Continuing education units are offered to drinking water and wastewater operators for this training.
Check these links 
for exercises scheduled in your area Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
Mid-Atlantic WARNS:
Specific emphasis will be placed on the Water and Wastewater Agency Response Networks (WARNs)
Is Your Water or Wastewater System Prepared? What you need to know about Generators (EPA 903-F-11-002, March, 2011) (PDF) (6pg, 747K About PDF) - this brochure provides tools and prompts utilities to better prepare for emergency generator needs and includes an easy-to-copy form to determine and document backup power needs.
Facility Specific Progress: Will support and promote the "10 Features of an Active and Effective Protective Program" for the water sector and encourage risk management strategies to protect against and mitigate the effects of natural or manmade events on critical infrastructure and key resources (formerly known as the "14 Features of an Active and Effective Security Program").
EPA encourages all utilities to complete Incident Command System training on-line. The courses to be considered are: ICS 100 & 200 level, NIMS 700 and NRP 800 courses.
The Mid-Atlantic region is supporting the effort to develop measures to gauge the sector’s progress in improving security and preparedness.
Water Security Initiative: The mid-Atlantic Region will promote the concept of a contaminant warning system with large water systems and continue to support the utilities undertaking these warning systems.
