Terrorism and Security Issues Facing the Water Infrastructure Sector

Damage to or destruction of the nations water supply and water quality infrastructure by a terrorist attack could disrupt the delivery of vital human services in this country, threaten public health, and even cause loss of life. Across the country, water infrastructure systems extend over vast areas, and ownership and operational responsibility are both public and private but are overwhelmingly nonfederal. Since the 911 attacks, federal dam operators and water and wastewater utilities have been under heightened security. However, there still are no federal standards or agreed-upon industry best practices within the water infrastructure sector to govern readiness, response, and recovery. This report presents an overview of this large and diverse sector, describes security-related actions taken by the government and the private sector since September 11th, and discusses additional policy issues and responses, including congressional concerns. Policy makers are considering a number of initiatives, including enhanced physical security, better communication and coordination, and research. A key issue is how additional protections and resources directed at public and private sector priorities will be funded. In response, since FY2002 Congress has provided 740 million in appropriations for security at water infrastructure facilities and passed a bill requiring drinking water utilities to conduct security vulnerability assessments P.L. 107-188. When Congress created the Department of Homeland Security DHS in 2002 P.L. 107-297, it gave DHS responsibilities to coordinate information to secure the nations critical infrastructure, including the water sector. Under Homeland Security Presidential Directive-7, the Environmental Protection Agency EPA is the lead federal agency for protecting drinking water and wastewater utility systems.