Member Pipeline - Fax Alerts SpecialEdition - February 7, 2005
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February 9, 2005
Water Sector Security Workshops Slated
The Water Environment Federation (WEF), through funding from the U.S. EPA and the Agency's Office of Research and Development, will host three regional water sector stakeholder workshops in 2005. Workshop dates and locations are: March 15-17 in Phoenix, AZ (Western Region); May 10-12 in Philadelphia, PA (Eastern Region); and July 6-8 in Chicago, IL (Midwest Region). The workshops are being co-sponsored by AMSA, the Water Environment Research Foundation, the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, the American Water Works Association, the AWWA Research Foundation, the National Rural Water Association, and the National Environmental Service Center. There is no registration fee for the workshops.The primary purpose of each of these workshops is to provide water and wastewater (water sector) utilities and other key stakeholders a format to develop a list of trends and needs to enhance the overall security of the nation. In addition, participants will help develop recommendations on how to best meet the identified needs.
While attendance at each of the three workshops is by invitation only, AMSA is facilitating the participation of both wastewater utilities and the consultants that work with them on security efforts. Other water sector stakeholders including research laboratories, law enforcement personnel, and public health officials are also being invited. If you are interested in attending any of the three workshops, please contact AMSA’s Deputy Executive Director, Paula Dannenfeldt at pdannenfeldt@amsa-cleanwater.org. AMSA will see that you receive an invitation to the workshop you desire.
If you would like to attend the Phoenix workshop, please be sure to book your hotel reservations as soon as possible. The hotel cut-off date is this Monday, February 14th and rooms will no longer be available at the group rate after that date. Call the Phoenix Marriott Mesa at 480-898-8300 and mention the "EPA Water Sector Meeting" to receive the government rate of $121 per night.
Agenda Overview
The workshop begins with an overview from EPA, Department of Homeland Security, and other water sector security partners, on the current state of water sector security. Following a brief networking break, the agenda allows for a facilitator to begin the process of engaging water sector utilities and private/public partners on their experiences with the VA and ERP process and what, if any, security measures the water sector utilities have implemented. The second day of the conference will focus on water sector security research. Morning and early afternoon sessions will feature a series of panel discussions on current water sector research projects including prevention and detection; mitigation and deconta-mination; and other topics. Following the panel discussions, breakout groups will reconvene to discuss and prioritize water sector security research needs. The final day of the workshop will be used to formulate specific recommendations to EPA and others for additional research and actions that will best support the water sector security needs identified during the first two days.