THREAT ANALYSIS : U.S. Scrambles to Inspect Its Vast Infrastructure Array
While protecting public infrastructure systems from potential disasters is not a new concept, owners and consultants have felt an urgent calling to this task since 9/11. Government agencies at all levels are assessing water, wastewater and power systems from top to bottom, looking for chinks in the armor and ways to upgrade security within budget constraints. Some owners initiated assessments long before 9/11, while others are now scrambling to meet federal deadlines.
The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Response Act requires drinking water systems serving 100,000 people or more to complete vulnerability assessments and submit them to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by March 2003, followed by an emergency response plan within six months. Systems serving between 50,000 and 100,000 people have until December 2003, and systems serving between 3,300 and 50,000 people have until June 2004 to complete assessments.