Author Description

This ringbound book provides a reproduction of an important NBD/WMD/CBRN terrorism document from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Water Security Handbook, Planning for and Responding to Drinking Water Contamination Threats and Incidents. The Water Security Handbook was developed by the U.S. EPA to help water utility officials protect the water system and respond effectively to threats and contamination incidents. EPA also wrote this Handbook in response to calls for a short, simplified document that summarizes the comprehensive document entitled Response Protocol Toolbox: Planning For and Responding to Drinking Water Contamination Threats and Incidents (also known as the Response Protocol Toolbox). This Handbook describes the basic concepts and procedures involved in water security planning and threat response. Together, the Handbook and Response Guidelines provide succinct recommendations concerning water security planning and response actions. While the Response Protocol Toolbox is aimed at all utilities, agencies and other organizations that may be involved in responding to drinking water threats and incidents, this Handbook is aimed primarily at water utility managers and staff. This Handbook should help managers: Understand the basics of responding to contamination threats and incidents; Plan for responding to water contamination threats and contamination incidents; Learn about key concepts of water security covered in the Response Protocol Toolbox; and Learn how to use the Response Protocol Toolbox, the Response Guidelines, and other available tools to help you provide water security. In addressing water utility managers, the guide states: Contamination of a drinking water system can cause illness, disease, or even death. A water system can be contaminated, damaged or disrupted through intentional terrorist or criminal actions or by an accident. Intentional contamination poses one of the most serious threats to a water system because of the intent to