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Vulnerability Assessments and Emergency Response Plans
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated that systems serving over 3,300 persons were required to conduct and submit a vulnerability analysis (VA) and subsequent emergency response plan (ERP). Systems were required to submit their VA's and ERPs by the deadlines indicated in the table below.
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Systems serving population of: |
Certify and submit Vulnerability Assessment (VA) by: |
Emergency Response Plan |
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100,000 or greater |
March 31, 2003 |
6 mo after submittal
of VA to EPA |
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50,000 - 99,999 |
December 31, 2003 |
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3,301 - 49,999 |
June 30, 2004 |
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What's a Vulnerability Assessment (VA)?
A vulnerability assessment evaluates how vulnerable a water system is to possible threats (including those of vandalism, sabotage and terrorist attacks), and looks at ways to reduce the risks and/or minimize the consequences if the threat occurs. Here is a copy of EPA's fact sheet on Vulnerability Assessments. |
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How do you go about completing a VA?
There are several methodologies, programs and templates you can use to create your vulnerability assessment. DEC can mail out a customized CD that helps owners and operators create a VA and an ERP by walking them through a process of listing assets, equipment, contact information and answering questions. If you are the owner or operator of a PWS and would like us to send you one please email us by clicking on Shannon's information. If you would like the VA template click on the ADEC image to the right.
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What is an Emergency Response Plan?
An emergency response plan is a document that provides response, recovery, and remediation guidance for actions in response to man-made, technological, and/or natural disaster emergencies. The Emergency Response Plan should be developed to assist operators and owners to better know what they need to do and who to contact during an emergency. |
How do you complete an Emergency Response Plan?
You may already have an emergency response plan and only need to revise it considering other possible threats that may not have been included in the plan before, as well as update contact information if it is necessary. There are several guides that are available to assist you in the process. You should also contact local emergency response agencies to verify contact information and possibly arrange a practice drill. There are many resources available to assist you in developing your ERP. Click Here for EPA's Guidance on ERPs for small and medium sized systems or click the ADEC image to the right for the DEC Emergency Response Tool Kit.
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Additional Resources ....
One of EPA's resources is called the "Response Protocol Toolbox: Planning for and Responding to Drinking Water Contamination Threats and Incidents". This is an in-depth resource designed to help the water sector to effectively and appropriately respond to intentional contamination threats and incidents. The Toolbox will be of value to drinking water utilities, laboratories, emergency responders, state drinking water programs, technical assistance providers and public health and law enforcement officials.
- Overview
- Water Utility Planning Guide
- Contamination Threat Management Guide
- Site Characterization and Sampling Guide
- Analytical Guide
- Public Health Response Guide
- Remediation and Recovery Guide
EPA also developed a "Response Protocol Toolbox Guidance" as the action oriented document to assist drinking water utilities, laboratories, emergency responders, state drinking water programs, technical assistance providers, and public health and law enforcement officials during the management of an ongoing contamination threat or incident. The Guideline isn't intended to replace the actual Response Protocol Toolbox; it does not contain the detailed information contained within the six complete modules. The Guideline should be viewed as the application of the information contained in the Response Protocol Toolbox during an actual incident. The Response Guidelines have been developed to provide an easy to use documents for field and crisis conditions.
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the American Water Works Association (AWWA), and the Water Environment Federation (WEF), with a grant from EPA has developed a set of security guidance documents that cover the design of online contaminant monitoring systems, and physical security enhancements of drinking water systems.
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What else should you know?
Do you have a Local Emergency Planning Community (LEPC) in your area? A LEPC membership includes a wide variety of stakeholders, such as elected state and local officials, police, fire, civil defense, public health, environmental, hospital officials and other community groups. Click on LEPC to get further information on what this group does.
DEC has a short fact sheet on what to expect from the Drinking Water Program if an incident occurs.
Here are the "Top 10" things that you can do to protect your water system for contamination and other harm.
What should you do if you've lost pressure in you system. Take a look at the loss of pressure flow chart. |
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DO YOUR PART
Verify and update your PWS contact information with the ADEC Drinking Water Program Annually .
If you need a blank copy of the form click here. PWS FACTS (pdf)
If you need assistance contact Leslie Shurtleff @ (907) 269-8924 or email her by clicking here. |
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