MITIGATING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM VULNERABILITIES

Common wisdom has held that the water system is reasonable invulnerable to terrorist threat because, (1) the physical infrastructure of dams, tunnels, aqueducts, and distribution systems is so physically massive that conventional explosives or other attracts would be unlikely to cause catastrophic damage; and (2) the volumes of water in the system are so large that contaminants are diluted below concentrations likely to cause infections or poisoning, at least to large numbers of people. In reality, informed opinion suggests that our scientific and technical understanding of threats to the water system, especially of a biological and chemical nature, are inadequate to draw this conclusion. Essentially all our experience is with naturally occurring contamination, and little thought has been given to purposeful attacks. There is heightened concern regarding the vulnerabilities of critical infrastructures, including the public water systems, to a deliberate terrorist attack, the consequences of which could be substantial. In the United States, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) holds lead responsibility for protecting the nation’s water systems and is currently working with other federal, state, and local government agencies, water and wastewater utilities, and professional associations to improve water security. This paper reviews categories of vulnerability of the water supply system, and discusses strategies for grappling with them.