The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 requires each community water system (CWS) that serves a population greater than 3,300 to complete a Vulnerability Assessment (VA) and Emergency Response Plan (ERP) in accordance with the following schedule:

Each CWS that serves a population greater than 3,300 must certify to the EPA that it has conducted a VA. EPA recommends that the CWS submit the certification to the EPA along with the required copy of the VA sealed in two envelopes, one inside the other. No reference should be made on the outer envelope to its contents. The inside envelope should be sealed, and marked "To Be Opened by Addressee Only - Janet Pawlukiewicz." EPA recommends that the CWS submit the certification and VA using an express courier service such as Federal Express, United Parcel Service, Airborne, etc., which provides tracking and certification of delivery. Using these services will ensure that the submission is delivered directly to the persons authorized to receive and process these items. Use the following address for express or courier service deliverables to EPA. This location is open for deliveries between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM Eastern Time. Call the number listed under the address before attempting deliveries outside of these hours.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Water Resources Center (WSD-RAR)
Room 1119 EPA West Building
1301 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004

Couriers are to use phone number 202-566-1729.

Each CWS required to conduct a VA, must also certify to the EPA that the CWS has completed an ERP. Do not submit a copy of the ERP to the EPA. Submit only the certification that the ERP has been completed to the address listed above.

If you have any questions regarding this guidance, please contact Paul S. Niman of the Drinking Water Program at (617) 556-1166.