Water Sector Security 

Workshops

SUMMARY REPORT ON

Water Environment Federation Preserving & Enhancing

the Global WaterEnvironment

R

EPA/600/R-06/047

June 2006

Water Sector

Security Workshops

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

Office of Research and Development

National Homeland Security Research Center

Cincinnati, OH

Office of Water

Water Security Division

Washington, DC

Water Environment Federation

Alexandria, VA

June 2006
Table of Contents

Overview: Water Sector Security Workshops ................................................................................... 1

Workshop Participation...................................................................................................................... 1

Workshop Format............................................................................................................................... 3

Overarching Security Challenges for Water Sector Utilities .............................................................. 4

Maintaining Support for Security Investments by Water Sector Utilities........................................... 4

Addressing the Vulnerability of Water Sector Utility Distribution Systems ....................................... 7

Managing Water Sector Security Information.................................................................................... 9

Most Commonly Identified Application and Research Water Sector Security Needs..................... 11

Conclusions and Next Steps ............................................................................................................ 12 

ii 
Table 1 Water Sector Security Workshop Participants...........................................................................1

Table 2 EPA and WEF Partner Organizations.........................................................................................2

Table 3 Water Sector Security Workshop Sessions Overview ...............................................................3

Table 4 Three Overarching Security Challenges for Water Sector Utilities...........................................4

Table 5 Challenges in Maintaining Support in Security Investments for Water Sector Utilities...........5

Table 6 Specific Needs Related to Maintaining Support in Security Investments for 

Water Sector Utilities ..................................................................................................................5

Table 7 Challenges in Addressing Water Sector Distribution System Vulnerabilities ..........................7

Table 8 Specific Needs Identified to Address Water Sector Distribution Vulnerabilities.....................8

Table 9 Challenges in Managing Water Sector Security Information....................................................9

Table 10 Specific Needs Identified to Manage Water Sector Security Information.............................10

Table 11 Most Commonly Identified Application and Research Water Sector Security Needs..........11

List of Tables

 Water Sector Security Workshops iii
iv 
Table 1 Water Sector Security Workshop Participants

 Water Sector Security Workshops 

Because safe drinking water and properly treated wastewater are critical to modern 

life, the federal government has identified the water sector as one of seventeen critical 

infrastructures/key resources in the United States (Homeland Security Presidential 

Directive 7). During 2005, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in 

cooperation with the Water Environment Federation® (WEF®), hosted three Water 

Sector Security Workshops (workshops) involving drinking water and wastewater utility 

operators and other key stakeholders. The purpose of the workshops was to discuss water 

sector security issues in order to better gauge the current status of water security, outline 

common challenges, and identify what is most needed to better protect the nation’s water 

infrastructure.

WEF has published interim reports from each of the three workshops on the 

Water Security Channel, at www.watersc.org. These reports summarize the results of 

the workshops and detail specific lessons learned and critical needs related to both the 

application of water sector security programs and supporting research and technology 

development. 

This report will summarize the lessons learned and current needs from all 

three workshops. First, however, it is important to describe the stakeholder groups 

represented at the workshops, how participants were selected, and how the workshops 

were conducted.

Approximately 100 stakeholder group representatives participated in each of the three 

EPA/WEF Water Sector Security Workshops. Table 1 shows the breakdown of all 

participants by category. 

A major goal of the workshops was to ensure a balance of participation among 

key water sector stakeholders. This included small, medium, and large urban water 

sector utilities; rural water sector utilities; and other appropriate stakeholders, such 

as government agencies, public health organizations, and emergency responders. All 

Overview: Water Sector Security Workshops

Workshop Participation
workshop invitees were approved by a steering committee of representatives from 

WEF, EPA, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

Th e Water Sector Coordinating Council (WSCC) played an essential role in 

planning and implementing the workshops. Th is council, formed in 2004, serves as 

a policy, strategy, and coordination mechanism to reduce and eliminate signifi cant 

homeland security vulnerabilities to the water sector through interaction with the 

federal government and other critical infrastructure sectors. Th e WSCC consists of 

two owner/operator representatives along with one non-voting association staff person 

from each of the following associations: American Water Works Association (AWWA), 

Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), National Association of Clean 

Water Agencies (NACWA), National Rural Water Association (NRWA), National 

Association of Water Companies (NAWC), WEF, Water Environment Research 

Foundation (WERF), and AWWA Research Foundation (AwwaRF). 

Several partner organizations (see Table 2) recommended water sector utility or other 

stakeholder invitees. Th e partner organizations also reviewed and provided comments on 

the workshop agenda and participated in the workshops.

ASSOCIATION OF STATE DRINKING WATER ADMINISTRATORS

ASSOCIATION OF METROPOLITAN WATER AGENCIES

AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION

AWWA RESEARCH FOUNDATION

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CLEAN WATER AGENCIES

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES CENTER

NATIONAL RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION

WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH FOUNDATION

2 

Table 2 EPA and WEF Partner Organizations
Table 3 Water Sector Security Workshop Sessions Overview

All sessions were focused on either water sector security applications (e.g., funding, tools, training) or water sector 

security research (e.g., monitoring systems, treatment technology) needs.

A C T I V I T I E S G O A L S

Opening Sessions

Presentations from EPA Water Security Division, 

EPA National Homeland Security Research Center, 

DHS, states, water sector utilities, and professional 

associations on the current state of water sector 

security.

Opening Sessions

Provide an overview to participants of the current 

state of water sector security and updates on 

application and research activities in preparation for 

focused breakout group sessions.

Breakout Sessions

Approximately 25 individuals participated in one 

of four facilitated breakout sessions conducted on 

each of the fi rst two days. Breakout sessions on Day 

1 focused on lessons learned and application needs 

while Day 2 sessions focused on research needs.

Breakout Sessions

Increase knowledge among participants regarding 

a wide range of current water security practices and 

challenges confronting water sector utilities and 

stakeholders, and provide stakeholder input to WEF, 

EPA, DHS, and others regarding priority water sector 

application and research needs.

Facilitated Discussion of Needs Identifi ed in 

Breakout Groups

Workshop participants reconvened on the morning 

of Day 3 for additional technical presentations, a 

presentation by workshop facilitators summarizing 

results from Day 1 and Day 2 sessions, and facilitated 

open discussion for participant questions, comments, 

recommendations, and other input to workshop 

sponsors and others.

Facilitated Discussions

Provide an opportunity for workshop participants 

to introduce needs and ideas not already discussed; 

clarify important needs; share and discuss security 

challenges with other stakeholders; ask questions 

of WEF, EPA, DHS, and others; and provide input 

regarding how best to address needs identifi ed 

during the workshops.

Workshop Format

Each workshop spanned two and one-half days and was organized around three major 

sessions, including general sessions, a series of facilitated breakout group sessions, and a 

fi nal facilitated overall discussion of application and research trends and needs identifi ed 

during the course of the workshop. Th e workshops stressed two major focus areas of 

water sector security: application needs and research needs. Table 3 provides a brief 

summary of the workshop sessions. Signifi cantly more detail on the methodology used 

for the workshops and full workshop agendas are available from the three

interim reports available on the Water Security Channel at www.watersc.org.

 Water Sector Security Workshops 3
Table 4 Three Overarching Security Challenges 

for Water Sector Utilities

Maintaining Support for Security Investments by Water Sector Utilities

Addressing Vulnerabilities of Water Sector Utility Distribution Systems

Managing Water Sector Security Information

4 

Issue Overview

Th e Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 

mandated that every drinking water utility serving populations greater than 3,300 

individuals conduct a vulnerability assessment (VA) of its facility and update its 

emergency response plan (ERP) based on that VA. According to EPA, 100 percent of the 

large and medium-sized drinking water utilities and more than 95 percent of the smaller 

drinking water utilities complied with this mandate. EPA continues to work with utilities 

to achieve full compliance. While wastewater utilities were not mandated by the federal 

government to conduct vulnerability assessments or update their emergency response 

plans, many have voluntarily completed both tasks as best business practices.

Specifi c Challenges Identifi ed in Water Sector Security Workshops

Vulnerability assessments are designed to assist a utility in making decisions as to which 

specifi c security investments would provide the greatest benefi t to the utility. According 

to participant input, many water sector stakeholders feel that utilities are faced with the 

challenge of determining which security investments are of the greatest benefi t while 

balancing these concerns with the costs of other, nonsecurity-related investments for 

their utility (see Table 5). In addition, when deciding which security investments to 

make, utility managers and other stakeholders contend that it is diffi cult to determine 

the current state of the art in the relatively new area of water sector security. For example, 

deciding on when to phase in contamination detection and monitoring investments 

presents a challenge since detection and monitoring technologies are perceived to be 

rapidly changing and often unproven for broader security applications. 

Although many specifi c issues and needs were discussed during the individual 

workshops, three overarching challenges for the water sector emerged (see Table 4) 

and participants identifi ed specifi c needs associated with each challenge.

While these overarching challenges are the primary focus of this summary report, 

the report will also highlight several other commonly identifi ed application and 

research needs from the workshops. 

For a complete listing of issues presented during the workshops, individuals 

are encouraged to read the interim report from each individual workshop at 

www.watersc.org.

Overarching Security Challenges for 

Water Sector Utilities

Maintaining Support for Security 

Investments by Water Sector Utilities
Table 5 Challenges in Maintaining Support in Security 

Investments for Water Sector Utilities

How should priorities be set?

What is the proper balance between security-related investments and nonsecurityrelated needs?

What is the state of the art?

Which security products should be purchased when industry products are 

constantly changing?

Whose priorities?

Without a mandate from the government, industry standards, or known threats, 

how and when should a security program be implemented?

Table 6 Specific Needs Related to Maintaining 

Support in Security Investments for Water 

Sector Utilities

Decision Maker Needs

Cost/risk model of how and where to invest utility resources across all priorities 

(security and nonsecurity-related)

Assistance with developing a “vision for security implementation”

Strategies on how to derive multiple benefi ts from security programs

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Utility Staff Needs

Increased training on strategies for creating a security culture

Community Needs

Increased understanding of the “psychology of a contamination event”

 Water Sector Security Workshops 5

Th e prioritization concerns noted above are more acute, according to some 

workshop participants, in the absence of federal, state, or local government mandates to 

implement security measures; industry standards; and clearly defi ned threats to water 

sector systems. 

Th e importance of creating a “security culture” at a utility; incorporating security 

practices as part of normal business operations; was widely recognized at the workshops 

as an eff ective means to implement and maintain water sector security over time. Th is 

would be comparable to companies instilling safety consciousness as part of standard 

operating procedures in plant operations.

Specifi c Needs Identifi ed to Maintain Momentum and Support for 

Security Investments

In order to address the challenges listed in Table 5, workshop participants discussed many 

needs for water sector utilities. In this context, participants discussed three basic water 

sector groups; each with unique needs as outlined in Table 6. 

Decision makers associated with a water sector utility (such as the board of directors, 

the mayor, or other elected offi cials) were said to need, among other things, a cost/risk 

model to show where to invest precious utility resources across all utility priorities, not 
 

just security. While many methodologies have been introduced to the water sector since 

9/11 on how to prioritize security-related investments, workshop participants clearly 

identified a need for decision makers at the utility to have a more comprehensive tool to 

balance all utility needs in order to make sound decisions for budget allocations. 

Decision makers also need better tools to assist in developing security plans for their 

utilities. For example, some workshop participants noted that while planning for utility 

upgrades is done in three-, five-, or seven-year increments, security investments are not 

necessarily being included in those assessments currently because reliable models do not 

exist to help identify what specifically should be included.

Finally, water sector decision makers need a greater understanding of how to derive 

multiple benefits from their security investments. One of the most pressing needs 

for water sector utilities across the United States, for example, is the replacement and 

rehabilitation of aging infrastructure. Strategies on how to leverage the current emphasis 

placed on security by the federal government against these needs may allow for muchneeded infrastructure upgrades while increasing security.

Water sector utility staff members, particularly managers and operators, need 

training on strategies for creating and maintaining a security culture at their utilities. 

Those entrusted with the day-to-day operation of a water sector utility need to be 

consistently educated on the value and purpose of security at their facilities, as well as the 

multiple benefits derived from the implementation of an efficient and effective security 

program to the overall operation of the utility. 

According to many workshop participants, the communities served by water sector 

utilities need a better understanding of potential crisis incidents, their consequences, 

and measures that can be taken to reduce risks and minimize impacts. This need can be 

addressed in part by developing and distributing effective education tools and outreach 

materials. In many cases, the public would be more likely to support water sector security 

efforts, financially and otherwise, if the nature of crisis events and security investments 

and other measures to prevent or deal with them were better communicated. 
Table 7 Challenges in Addressing Water Sector 

Distribution System Vulnerabilities

Access

Signifi cant number of access points and better capacity to protect some points 

along the system than others.

Detection

Without reliable, real-time detection and monitoring technologies, contaminants 

may go undetected or false alarms may occur.

Coordinated Reponse

Insuffi cient reliable response protocols and decontamination procedures, and often 

a lack of regional, cross-organizational response teams.

 Water Sector Security Workshops 7

Addressing the Vulnerability of Water 

Sector Utility Distribution Systems

Issue Overview

While most critical infrastructures are contained, such as nuclear power plants, water 

sector distribution systems are more widely dispersed. Contaminant and physical 

intrusion detection are signifi cant challenges faced by water sector utilities in reducing 

the vulnerability of their distribution systems.

Specifi c Challenges in Addressing Water Sector Utility Distribution 

System Vulnerabilities

Water sector stakeholders participating in the workshops consistently identifi ed three 

categories of distribution system vulnerabilities: access, detection, and lack of coordinated 

response protocols for contamination events. Table 7 defi nes these categories and 

provides brief examples from the workshops. 

Since water sector distribution systems have a signifi cant number of access 

points, many stakeholders feel that some points will be more diffi cult to protect than 

others. For this reason, they suggest that it would be best to focus on improving 

detection and mitigation capabilities while also improving technologies to reduce 

access at known key points.

As explained earlier in this report, workshop sessions covered both water sector 

security applications (e.g., funding, tools, training) and water sector security research 

(e.g., monitoring and detection technologies). While increased funding was the most 

noted applications need, an overwhelming number of workshop participants noted a 

lack of real-time detection and monitoring technology as the primary research need.

Workshop participants were also consistently concerned that up-to-date 

response protocols be in place in their communities and noted that comprehensive 

decontamination procedures are often currently lacking. Not having regional response 

teams established ahead of time could cause signifi cant delays in recovering from a 

terrorist attack or other crisis event.
Table 8 Specific Needs Identified to Address Water 

Sector Distribution Vulnerabilities

Access

Greater public involvement, including creation of a culture of security

Detection

Research projects on real-time contaminant monitoring and intrusion detection 

technologies

Coordinated Response

Regional response teams and reliable response protocols and decontamination 

procedures

8 

Specifi c Needs Identifi ed to Address Water Sector Distribution 

Vulnerabilities

Workshop participants cited increasing public involvement and developing a culture of 

security as two main needs in addressing water sector distribution vulnerabilities. Th e 

public at large can have a signifi cant impact in helping to monitor the security of the vast 

water sector distribution systems in their communities by noticing and reporting any 

suspicious persons or situations. Th is could reduce the overall vulnerability of the water 

sector to terrorist or other incidents. While the culture of security was generally discussed 

in relation to promoting the importance of security among the staff of a utility, it was also 

noted that the presence of a security culture in the community could help the public be 

more aware and prepared to assist should an event occur. Table 8 summarizes these and 

related needs to address water sector distribution vulnerabilities.

Research projects relating to real-time detection and monitoring are needed, 

according to water sector security stakeholder participants. Integrated, real-time 

contaminant monitoring and advanced, reliable intrusion detection systems were 

specifi cally mentioned as needed research projects.

To address the need for a coordinated response to distribution vulnerabilities, many 

workshop participants described a need to establish and maintain emergency response 

protocols across participating organizations. Other signifi cant needs include regional 

response teams, regional cross-sector training, and reliable decontamination procedures.
Table 9 Challenges in Managing Water Sector 

Security Information

General lack of awareness of available information

(Many identifi ed needs have been or are being addressed by current resources.)

Overload of general information that is hard to apply at the local level

Defi ning what information is secure and who should have access

(e.g., Freedom of Information Act concerns)

 Water Sector Security Workshops 9

Issue Overview

A key overarching challenge raised by all stakeholders, across all issue categories, was 

the need to properly manage information on water sector security issues from a variety 

of sources. Th e volume of information, the type of information, and the format of 

the information are all critical considerations in assisting water sector stakeholders, 

particularly water sector utilities, in making critical decisions regarding how to protect 

their customers and the general public from terrorist threats and attacks. 

Specifi c Challenges in Managing Water Sector Security Information

Despite signifi cant eff orts by all levels of government, trade and professional associations, 

and other water sector security stakeholders, many utilities are unaware of many tools 

and training opportunities already available to them and of pertinent ongoing or 

completed research. Workshop breakout sessions provided the opportunity for utilities 

and other stakeholders to identify both immediate and longer-term application and 

research needs for eff ectively dealing with security issues. Stakeholders frequently 

mentioned a need for security applications or research projects that have already been 

developed or are in the process of being developed. Th is clearly indicates that more work 

needs to be done to communicate the availability of water sector security information 

to utilities and other stakeholders. Table 9 highlights several of the information 

management challenges identifi ed in the workshops.

Ironically, many stakeholders also cited an overload of information, particularly 

“general” information that is diffi cult to apply at the local level. Several examples of tools 

and training that have been published were cited as examples of good work, but they 

provided utility managers with little “actionable” information to use in implementing 

their day-to-day goal of building a security culture. 

Specifi c Needs Identifi ed to Manage Water Sector Security Information

One of the most common needs across all workshops was the need to refi ne 

communication eff orts. As noted above, much of the information the water sector 

receives is viewed as too general in nature. Simple, locally relevant, actionable 

information was consistently cited by workshop participants as one of the major needs. 

Managing Water Sector Security Information
Table 10 Specific Needs Identified to Manage Water 

Sector Security Information

Refi ned Communication Efforts

Keep information simple, locally relevant, and actionable.

Targeted Information Sharing Programs

Targeted among and between utilities and the emergency response community

Public Education Program

on the critical dependencies of the water sector and additional regional forums to 

increase peer-to-peer access to information

Greater Emphasis on Crisis Communication Strategies

(e.g., message mapping, which involves anticipating likely questions that will be 

asked and developing and practicing delivery of key messages before a crisis 

occurs)

Once again, public education tools and training, specifi cally on critical dependencies 

and interdependencies of the water sector, are needed to strengthen relationships among 

all critical water sector security stakeholders.

Besides providing useful updates on the current state of water sector security, many 

participants noted that the Water Sector Security Workshops themselves provided the 

opportunity for much needed peer-to-peer interaction, particularly among utilities. Some 

participants recommended additional regional forums, perhaps with an expanded target 

audience including stakeholders from other critical infrastructures, such as power utilities 

or transportation.

Finally, many stakeholders cited a general lack of knowledge and training available 

on crisis communication strategies. In the event of an attack or viable threat to water 

systems, for example, local water utilities and others involved in the response will be 

required to answer questions and provide information to the media and public about the 

situation, potential risks, and what is being done to deal with the crisis. Th is will often 

occur under diffi cult conditions of high stress and uncertainty. Water sector stakeholders 

are concerned about such issues as who the spokesperson should be, what information 

to share and how best to present it, how to eff ectively respond to questions, and how to 

coordinate communication both internally and with other involved organizations. Th ese 

issues should be addressed in a crisis communication plan established and implemented 

before a crisis event occurs.

0 
Table 11 Most Commonly Identified Application and Research Water 

Sector Security Needs

OVERARCHING PREVENTION DETECTION RESPONSE/RECOVERY

Guidance and support for 

coordinating the message 

and the messenger in 

communicating with the 

public during/after an 

event

Integration of water 

security with other utility 

programs (e.g., OSHA, 

EMS)

Improved ability to 

identify and characterize 

threats, including 

integrated real-time 

monitoring

Guidance on best 

practices for responding to 

contamination incidents, 

the comparative effi cacies 

of various decontamination 

protocols and technologies, 

and emergency notifi cation

Communication and 

outreach materials to 

assist utilities with funding 

opportunities for security 

program implementation

Advanced intrusion 

detection and distribution 

system protection 

technologies

Public health early 

warning and notifi cation 

system

Guidance on how to 

determine “how clean is 

clean” and how to convince 

the public that these 

determinations are correct

Nationwide, peer-topeer network of utilities 

to develop and share 

industry norms, best 

practices, expertise, and 

equipment

Joint training exercises 

to provide better, 

more comprehensive 

consideration of water 

issues and water utility 

roles in incident response/

command

“Consumers’ Report” 

guide to physical 

detection tools, 

equipment, and methods

Ways to effi ciently deliver 

a sustainable alternative 

water supply (e.g., examine 

interconnections)

Protocols for better 

characterizing system 

and infrastructure 

interdependencies

Increased access to 

and awareness of 

analytical and laboratory 

capabilities and services

Enhanced incident 

response coordination 

and communication. Free 

qualifi ed facilitation services 

for utilities to conduct 

emergency response 

tabletop exercises

Expanded awareness 

of the multiple benefi ts 

of security measures to 

overall utility operations

Joint operations centers 

for monitoring utility 

facilities (e.g., on a 

regional basis)

Standardized resources 

within the water utility 

sector to facilitate sharing 

and access to resources 

(e.g., people, expertise, 

equipment) for emergency 

response and recovery 

efforts

While the three categories of challenges and needs outlined above provide a convenient 

organization of issues raised at the three water sector security workshops, it would be 

inaccurate to imply that these overarching issues encompass all of the issues raised by 

workshop participants. As mentioned earlier, the three water sector security interim 

reports available at www.watersc.org provide a detailed listing of all issues captured 

during the sessions. However, Table 11 provides a list of the most commonly identifi ed 

application and research needs from all three workshops. Th e needs are organized 

under the fi ve pillars of water security defi ned by EPA’s Water Security Division (WSD) 

in its “Framework for EPA’s Water Security Strategy.” Th e fi ve pillars are entitled 

“overarching,” “prevention,” “detection,” “response,” and “recovery.” Because response 

and recovery are so interrelated, they are captured in one column in the table.

 Water Sector Security Workshops 

Most Commonly Identifi ed Application and 

Research Water Sector Security Needs
12 

To better secure our nation’s critical drinking water and wastewater infrastructures, the 

water sector focuses on having security programs in place that enhance its ability to 

prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from potential terrorist or other intentional 

acts and natural disasters. These efforts assist in ensuring the safety of the drinking 

water supply and protection of water quality by reducing the risk to public health, the 

environment, and critical infrastructure. 

EPA and other water sector stakeholders recognize the continued need to refine 

national, state, and local government water security programs and closely partner with 

utilities, public health, emergency response, law enforcement, and others responsible for 

the security of the nation’s critical water sector infrastructure. The three Water Sector 

Security Workshops confirmed that the general direction EPA and others are heading to 

address the vast security challenges facing the water sector is appropriate and that work 

needs to continue. The following reiterate the general conclusions from the workshops:

It is important that water utilities and other water sector stakeholders establish a 

“culture of security.”

It is a challenge for utilities to maintain momentum and support for security 

programs and investments, especially at the municipal level.

Security is a concern for utilities, and it is important to recognize that multiple 

benefits are derived from efforts to enhance security.

There is a need for additional tools and resources to assist utilities and other 

stakeholders in identifying and characterizing vulnerabilities to a system and the 

public health and economic consequences of an event. 

Distribution system vulnerability is viewed as a major challenge due to the number 

of service connections.

There is a need for improved detection, response, and mitigation capabilities for 

water sector utilities.

Physical entry and contaminant detection remain a challenge.

There is a need for continued research and development of real-time detection 

and monitoring technologies, decontamination procedures, and analytical 

methodologies.

Water utilities face the ongoing challenge of educating other members of 

the emergency preparedness community about the role that water sector 

utility operators play in response to an event and in explaining the critical 

interdependencies that exist among the water sector and other critical 

infrastructures.

Utilities, especially smaller systems, seem unaware of many existing security-related 

applications, research outputs, and activities that could be better communicated.

Guidance, tools, and other resources intended to help utilities and others address 

security-related needs should be easy to use and obtain. (This is especially relevant 

for smaller systems.)

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Conclusions and Next Steps
Information management, including defining what type of information is “security 

sensitive” remains a challenge.

A community of like-minded water security professionals has emerged in recent 

years, and there is great value in forums that sustain this community.

EPA has developed its water sector security programs with extensive stakeholder 

input and review. The Agency will continue to update and refine its programs, based 

on vulnerabilities and threats to drinking water and wastewater utilities and potential 

incident consequences, in an effort to assist in reducing risks to the water sector. Input 

from the Water Sector Security Workshops will, in part, be used to enhance current 

efforts and inform longer-term policy and research planning and decisions. 

Workshop outcomes will influence the development of the EPA Water Security 

Division’s “Water Security Strategic Framework” and an updated EPA National 

Homeland Security Research Center’s (NHSRC) “Research and Technical Support 

Action Plan.” The WSD’s “Strategic Framework” presents a road map of its near- and 

long-term programs to strengthen water security. The NHSRC’s “Action Plan” 

summarizes key water sector security needs and describes research projects dealing 

with drinking water supply, water treatment, finished water storage, drinking water 

distribution system infrastructure, wastewater treatment and collection infrastructure, 

wastewater treatment, and treated wastewater discharges. 

It is clear that the federal government alone cannot meet the vast needs of the water 

sector. State and local governments, as well as other partnering organizations; including 

many of those who participated in this project; have a continuing responsibility 

to educate and cooperate with the federal government and water sector utilities in 

communicating the value of water and wastewater security.

As the sector-specific agency for the water sector, EPA will continue to collaborate 

and build upon existing relationships with all parties within the sector—drinking 

water and wastewater utilities; the Department of Homeland Security; other critical 

infrastructure sectors; state, local and tribal governments; and stakeholders—to better 

understand interdependencies, develop tools and training, improve information sharing 

and exchange mechanisms, and conduct research activities with the goal of ensuring that 

water sector critical infrastructure operations are not interrupted by potential terrorist or 

other intentional acts.

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 Water Sector Security Workshops 13
United States

Environmental Protection

Agency

Office of Research and Development

National Homeland Security Research Center

Cincinnati, OH 45268

Official Business

Penalty for Private Use

$300

EPA/600/R-06/047

June 2006

PRESORTED STANDARD

POSTAGE & FEES PAID

EPA

PERMIT NO. G-35