Clean Water Advocacy - News Releases - July 16, 2002
For Immediate Release: July 16, 2002
Contact: Adam Krantz, 202/833-4651, AMSA
AMSA To Release New Vulnerability Assessment Tool for Wastewater Utilities July 23 . . . Introducing VSAT™
The Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies (AMSA) will release the Vulnerability Self Assessment Tool (VSAT™) for wastewater utilities, funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), on July 23.
VSAT™ provides a comprehensive, intuitive system for wastewater utilities seeking to analyze their vulnerability to both intentional threats and natural disasters. VSAT™ organizes data, supports vulnerability analyses, documents the analyses, and presents complex information in an easy-to-understand format for the full suite of potential utility assets including physical plant, employees, knowledge base, information technology, and customers. This invaluable software tool includes reference libraries of both potential threats and security countermeasures, and provides an enduring method for managing the information generated by security vulnerability assessments.
Funded by EPA, and developed by AMSA – in collaboration with PA Consulting Group and SCIENTECH, Inc. – the software will be made available free of charge to all public wastewater utilities. Training opportunities on VSAT™wastewater are slated to begin in August 2002. After July 23, user information on VSAT™ will be available to the software users at www.VSATusers.net. This web site will include technical support, software upgrades for downloading as they become available, and a webpage devoted to frequently asked questions regarding VSAT™. AMSA is also currently in the discussion phase with EPA to develop VSAT™ software for joint public drinking water-wastewater agencies as well as for small and medium sized drinking water agencies, which will go far toward helping to further secure the water/wastewater critical infrastructure sector.
For more information on AMSA’s VSAT™ initiative, visit AMSA’s web site at www.amsa-cleanwater.org or call AMSA at 202/833-2672. Information will also be available on EPA’s water security web site at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/security.
AMSA is a national trade association representing over 270 of the nation's public wastewater utilities who are, despite a sharp decline in federal funding, dealing with the expensive challenges of an ailing infrastructure comprised of old, worn pipes and treatment facilities in desperate need of upgrades. These wastewater treatment officials are environmental practitioners dedicated to protecting and improving the nation's public health and its water, and collectively treat and reclaim over 18 billion gallons of wastewater every day.
1816 Jefferson Place, Washington, DC 20036-2505 • 202.833.AMSA • 202.833.4657 FAX