Water System Security

Drinking Water Advisory CommitteeSeptember 11, 2017

Gregory B. McKnight IIEmergency Response Planner

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Office of Drinking Water’s Mission

We work with others to protect the health of the people of Washington State by ensuring safe and reliable drinking water.

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What is Suspicious Behavior?

• Occasionally, summer is a time for some school-age youth to engage in mischief

• How do you tell if it is

– Misguided youth?

– A group or individuals intent on harming your water customers?

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• Are they

– Not normal to the area?

– Overly interested in things most people don’t care about?

• What equipment do they have?

– Camera, bolt cutters, ladders, maps, diagrams.

• Repeat visits?

What is Suspicious Behavior? (Continued)

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Have You Used These?

• EPA Response Protocol Toolbox: Planning for and Responding to Drinking Water Contamination Threats and Incidents

• Threat Evaluation Worksheet

• Website link: Planning for and Responding to Drinking Water Contamination Threats and Incidents

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Have You Seen Me?

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Question?

• What makes you less of a target?

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Security Tips

• A plan for addressing physical security.

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Physical Security Elements

• Access control

• Closed Circuit TV

• SCADA security

• Building elements

• Hatches and vents

• Online monitoring

• Operator devices

• Fill-line locks

• Hydrants

• Manholes

• Fencing

• Gates

• Site areas

• Facility entrances

• Vehicle barriers

• Exterior surfaces

• Security lighting

• Signage

• Electronic security

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What About Staff?

• Your best course of action is to recognize anything out of place.

• Employees should practice awareness.

– Unusual site changes (vegetation, abandoned vehicles).

– Out-of-place damage.

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• Always contact your local law enforcement for all breaches to your water system.

• Cameras could help expedite the clearing of the water asset.

– It gives a better comparison of vandals versus those intent on harming your customers.

• Prioritize those areas of your watershed that need additional fencing or barriers.

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• Perform a “paper” review of interties, MOUs and other alternate water asset.

– An intrusion may require taking a water asset “off line” or isolation, until cleared by laboratory analysis. This could require getting water from another source.

– Be prepared to know what is needed to “activate” those alternate resources.

– This also helps prepare for water loss incidents, such as those from natural hazards such as drought, flood, etc.

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• Develop and use normal operations and maintenance sampling to develop seasonal or quarterly characterization/profiles of your water system.

• This creates a background characterization of your water system. Having this to compare your results could expedite bringing your water resource back online quicker.