NCSL Brief: The New Water Worry: Is It Safe?

(This is one of a series of briefs written by NCSL, "Protecting Democracy: States Respond to Terrorism.")

The New Water Worry: Is It Safe?

By Cathy Atkins

Security of water supplies across the country has been beefed up, including patrols by armed guards, since the attacks of September 11. Currently, the most identifiable dam in the country, Hoover Dam, has police barricades set up to check cars driving across it. Commercial traffic, including large recreational vehicles, is prohibited from crossing. Water companies also have increased monitoring and testing water supplies.

Three Potential Threats. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Water has identified three types of threats to drinking water systems: contamination; damage, destruction or sabotage of physical infrastructure; and disruption to computer systems.

It is unlikely the water supply could be contaminated successfully, according to almost every involved agency and organization, including the EPA, the American Water Works Association, the Association of Municipal Water Authorities and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. EPA Administrator Christie Whitman recently termed the possibility "small." Water supply and environmental professionals point out that the existing systems for treating pre-tap drinking water will remove most sources of contamination and are especially effective at removing anthrax. In addition, given the volume of water that would have to be affected, it would take an enormous amount of contaminant, i.e., several tankers full, to compromise a water system.

The possibility of attacks on the physical infrastructure and disruption to computer systems are of much greater concern to federal, state, local and private water professionals. There are more than 70,000 dams and reservoirs in the United States that 61 million people depend upon for water--including the farmers who grow 60 percent of the nation's vegetables, according to a recent report on National Public Radio. Dams also generate enough power to supply 6 million homes.

Much of the nation's water delivery system is computerized, making a cyber attack a threat to the continued delivery of water to homes and businesses. Water system administrators particularly are concerned about state freedom of information act requirements and sunshine laws that require public access to assessments of the strengths and weaknesses of facilities. Water system administrators believe this information could help potential terrorists.

Federal Actions

The EPA established the Water Protection Task Force in October 2001 to ensure that water system protection--including infrastructure--was addressed comprehensively. Dam operators have developed contingency plans, security programs and emergency response plans that last several years. The Bureau of Reclamation, responsible for 500 dams in the western United States, is maintaining a high level of security at its facilities. Congress is considering legislation that would provide more armed people, as well as more law enforcement powers, for the guards at federal dams and reservoirs.

State and Local Actions

State and local governments are reviewing security plans for and tightening security at water facilities as a result of the September 11 attacks. Ninety percent of cities with populations greater than 100,000 have updated or revised their emergency response plans since September 11; 74 percent have increased security around public water supplies, according to the National League of Cities.

· The Legislative Coordinating Council in Kansas has appointed six legislators to review security issues.

· The Florida House Select Committee on Security held its first meeting October 5. Topics discussed included the protection of water resources.

· Illinois has identified 200 potential targets in Chicago--including the city's water treatment facilities--and increased security efforts at the sites.

· Vermont Governor Howard Dean has instituted more frequent security checks at public water supplies and a more coordinated response effort to problems reported by state police and emergency management officials.

· National guard troops are being used in Massachusetts to guard water supplies. The state has sealed commuter roads that cross dams or go close to the water.

· Utah, in conjunction with the FBI, is using planes and satellites to observe activities at reservoirs.

· California has increased security levels at dams and aqueducts. In addition, the state Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Management is convening meetings with the FBI, the California Department of Water Resources and major California water districts to focus on efforts to improve security. The Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Management also has compiled an electronic mail list for all water systems to ensure that any information received from federal and other agencies can be quickly and accurately disseminated.

· Baltimore, Md., health officials are testing the city's water supply three times a day.

· Charleston, S.C., water utility workers (and private plumbers laying city pipe) now carry special identification cards.

Selected References

American Water Works. "AWWA Joins Whitman in Calling Terrorist Threats to Nation's Drinking Water Supply Remote." News Release, Oct. 18, 2001.

National Public Radio. Morning Edition. "Dam Security," Oct. 18, 2001.

Paulson, Amanda. "City by city, terror war goes local." Christian Science Monitor, Oct. 25, 2001.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Whitman Allays Fears for Water Security; Possibility of Successful Contamination Is Small." Washington, D.C., Press Release, Oct. 22, 2001.

Contacts for More Information

Cathy Atkins, Larry Morandi and Cheryl Runyon
NCSL--Denver
(303) 856-1525, ext. 152, 181 and 252
cathy.atkins@ncsl.org
larry.morandi@ncsl.org
cheryl.runyon@ncsl.org

Other NCSL Resources:

Other NCSL Briefs "States Respond to Terrorism"

NCSL's Protecting Democracy Page

NCSL's 2002 Legislative Session Home Page

NCSL's Water Resources Page