In the Main - A technical assistance newsletter for Public Water Suppliers
August 2009

(The following self-assessment measures have been taken from the Features of an Active and Effective Protective Program developed by the water sector to assist owners and operators of drinking water and wastewater utilities (water sector) in preventing, detecting, responding to, and recovering from adverse effects of all hazards, including terrorist attacks and natural disasters. These self-assessment measures can assist in determining if your system is ready to respond to an emergency. The full document can be viewed on the EPA website at: http://cfpub.epa.gov/safewater/watersecurity/features.cfm).

The water sector has developed measures of utility activities that roughly correspond with the activities described in the features. These measures are provided as examples for utilities to consider as a starting point as they develop their own self-assessment measures.

1. Have you integrated security and preparedness into budgeting, training, and manpower responsibilities (Y/N)?
2. Have you incorporated security into planning and design protocols applying to all assets and facilities (Y/N)?
3. Do you routinely conduct supplemental monitoring or more in-depth analysis beyond what is required to identify abnormal water quality conditions (Y/N)?
4. Have you established relationships with public health networks to interpret public health anomalies for the purposes of identifying waterborne public health impacts (Y/N)?
5. Do you monitor and evaluate customer complaints for possible indications of water quality or other security threats (Y/N)?
6. Have you established protocols (i.e., consequence management plans) for interpreting and responding to indications of water quality anomalies (Y/N)?
7. Do you review your vulnerability assessment (VA) annually (Y/N)?
   How frequently do you update your VA to adjust for changes in your system that may alter the risk profile of your utility? (never update; annually; every 2-3 years; every 3-5 years; every 5-10 years; no defined cycle)?
8. Does your utility receive screened, validated, and timely (e.g., in time to inform decisions or take action) threat information from one or more of the following sources (Y/N)?
   WaterISAC
   Federal Bureau of Investigation
   Local police
   Department of Health Services
9. Do you have a plan in place to increase utility security in response to a threat (Y/N)?
10. Do you have a written business continuity plan (Y/N)?
11. Do you:
    Have an emergency response plan (ERP) (Y/N)?
    Conduct training on the ERP (Y/N)?
    Carry out exercises on the ERP (Y/N)?
    If so, which type: Table top (Y/N)? Functional (Y/N)? Full field (Y/N)?
    R eview and update ERP on a periodic basis (Y/N)?
12. Has your utility adopted National Incident Management System (NIMS) as part of its emergency response plan? Is the Incident Command System (ICS) being used in your organization to manage incidents and/or preplanned events?
13. Is your utility a signatory to written agreements for requesting aid or assistance, such as a Memorandum of Understanding for mutual aid and assistance or Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN) membership (Y/N)?
    If no, are you in the process of creating an agreement (Y/N)?
14. Has your utility responded to an emergency request to provide mutual aid and assistance (Y/N)?
15. Do you have a crises communication plan (Y/N)?
16. Do you engage in networking activities regarding emergency preparedness and collaborative response in the event of an incident (Y/N)?

If you have questions regarding emergency preparedness, please contact Paul Niman at 617-556-1166 or paul.niman@state.ma.us.

In The Main index

Maintaining Consistency & Credibility

Is SRF Financing for You?

In Brief: Drinking Water Operator Licenses Expire; Preparation Materials for Exams; Massachusetts Receives State Fluoridation Quality Award; Staff Spotlight: Melissa Privetera

Self Assess Your Emergency Response

Ground Water Rule Questions & Answers

Financial Assistance for Local Water Conservation

MWWA Meeting & Education Seminars

Consultant's Chemical Checklist

Patrick Administration Honors 25 Public Water Systems

Changes to the Total Coliform Rule