Clean Water Advocacy - Newsroom - AMSA in the News
No. 194
Monday, October 7, 2002 Page A-3
ISSN 1521-9402
News
Water Pollution
Measure Introduced in Senate to Fund
Security Enhancements for Treatment Plants
A bill that would authorize $185 million for vulnerability assessments and
security enhancements at wastewater treatment plants was introduced Oct. 3 by
the head of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
The measure (S. 3037) also would provide funds under the Clean Water Act for
research on innovative technologies to ensure the long-term safety and security
of public water utilities.
Possible threats to wastewater systems include sabotage of underground and
above-ground pipeline systems, interference with water-treatment processes, and
tampering with operating systems, including computerized controls.
"We cannot forget the vital importance of protecting our nation's wastewater
facilities," Sen. Jim Jeffords (I-Vt.) said in introducing the bill. "Everyday,
we take for granted the hundreds of thousands of miles of pipes buried
underground and the thousands of wastewater treatment works that keep our water
clean and safe."
Jeffords took over as chairman of the environment committee when he switched
from the Republican party to become an independent in May 2001.
Bill Calls for Mandatory Assessments
Under S. 3037, vulnerability assessments would be mandatory, a water utility
source told BNA. Another provision would require the Environmental Protection
Agency to prepare and distribute a threat analysis through the water Information
Sharing and Analysis Center or "other appropriate means," he said.
ISAC is a secure Internet-based tool to provide two-way information for
utilities and the government.
In addition, the Jeffords measure would provide $15 million for grants to help
small communities conduct vulnerability assessments, develop emergency response
plans, and address potential threats to the treatment works.
A representative of the Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies told BNA
the group endorses the Senate bill.
The House passed a similar bill (H.R. 5169) on Sept. 5 that would authorize $220
million for security activities at wastewater treatment plants (143 DEN A-1,
7/25/02 ).
In the House version, vulnerability assessments would be voluntary, and systems
would be able to apply for grants to conduct them, according to a water utility
source.
In addition, the House bill would not require EPA to prepare and distribute a
threat analysis, he said.
A anti-bioterrorism bill signed into law June 12 (P.L. 107-188) authorized $175
million for drinking water security activities but did not address wastewater
(114 DEN A-1, 6/13/02). All together, Congress has provided more than $250
million for drinking water security, although most of these funds have not yet
been appropriated, EPA sources have told BNA.