Guidebook
DRINKING WATER SYSTEM
EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDEBOOK
August 2001
Kim DychesEmergency Response Coordinator
Division of Drinking Water
Safe Drinking Water Act
The sabotage of a public drinking water system, or even the threat to do so, is a federal offense (Title XIV, Section 1432 of the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act P.L. 99-339). Consequently, federal law enforcement authorities can become involved when dealing with the perpetrator(s).
Penalties
Tampering- up to 5 years in prison and/or
fined up to $50,000
Attempt or Threat- up to 3 years in prison
and/or fined up to $20,000
Training
Rural Water Assoc. AWWA Small
Systems Utah Valley State
College AWWA Idaho Wyoming Public
Health & Water USEPA Region 8 ABC Conference
Protecting Operators
Mask
Clothing
Sanitation measures
Decontamination
Medical Treatment
Blood-borne pathogen universal precautions
Shut down ventilation systems
In-House Security
Background checks of new hires
Address security when hiring
Make security part of performance plan
Employees need to follow security
measures: use of pass keys, key control,
check in visitors, authorized person with
visitors, package delivery, etc.
Threatening Phone Calls
Information to get from the caller
Do not discuss the call with any other persons except investigators
Name and time What type of device Where is it What does it look like Exact words of caller Was caller male,
female, child, etc. Description of voice Background noises Name/location of
person taking call Immediate Supervisor
Complaint Phone Calls
Water complaint information
If they complain of getting sick from the water, they should seek medical attention
Name, address, phone, date, time
Nature of problem (taste, smell, look)
Duration of problem Are neighbors having
same problem Was water system
notified Did they respond Sample in clean glass Responder Follow-up
Information Seekers
Be careful what information you give over the
phone
Terrorists gain information before they strike
Government Record Access Management Act
(GRAMA) requires individuals to fill out
proper forms and verify source
Specific information about a water system
should be given out by the system, not the
State Agency
Community Disaster Resistance
Project Impact
AWWA M-19 presentation
Sanitary Survey Training (LHD’s)
Emergency Response Planning
AWWA library videos
Law Enforcement Video
Developed a training video with the FBI to help train outside law enforcement, coming to Utah to help with the Olympics.
Bombs
Tends to be the weapon of choice
Immediate media attention
Can isolate to the venues
Capable of harming large number of people
Can be set to allow time to escape
Can cause damage to facilities stopping the
games
Emergency Water
Portable Treatment Plant
Bottled Water-security issues
Water Stations- security, sanitation issues
Terrorism Aftermath
Chaos
Secondary Devices
Moving Injured
Contamination of responders
Decontamination of victims
Crime Scene Preservation
Possible diversion for larger scale event
How to minimize risks?
Keep sites well lit. (add more lights)
Community Involvement
Sites fenced and locked. (change locks)
Increased patrolling (not routine times).
Increased monitoring. (chems & bacti samples)
During routine emergencies don’t neglect
security patrols (diversion tactics).
How to minimize risks? (con’t)
Possible outside help with security.
Have good emergency response plan in place.
Have contingency plans in place.
Create mock exercises.
Have necessary equipment or set up MOU’s
Have personal protective equipment
Uniforms and Company Identification
Vehicle markings
Identify Critical Equipment and have a backup
Set up emergency meeting place
Have good communications system
Assign specific tasks (don’t assume)
Prevention- Have a good Equipment
Maintenance Program
How to minimize risks? (con’t)