Public utility systems face new challenges as a result of the tragedies of September 11, 2001. The pictures of the events that occurred on that day are etched in our nation's collective memory and have forever changed the way we look at security issues on national, state, and local levels. We can no longer take for granted the security of our infrastructure systems. To ensure that each utility provider carefully assesses its unique risks and vulnerabilities, the Public Health, Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act was signed by the President in June of 2002. The Act requires, in part, the completion of detailed evaluations of water systems including vulnerability assessments, emergency response plans, and security enhancements.

There is still much discussion ongoing in Washington about how these assessments will be conducted, who will review them, and what security measures will be placed into effect to ensure their confidentiality. What is definitely known at this time is that the assessments will be required and the approved methodology for conducting them is called the Risk Assessment Methodology for Water Utilities. This methodology was developed by Sandia National Laboratories and the AWWARF to reduce vulnerability of water systems to attack and improve security as well as their ability to respond to emergency situations.

Hobbs, Upchurch & Associates, P.A. is prepared to assist you and your staff with the completion of these important vulnerability assessments. We have members of our professional staff that have been trained in the RAM-WSM Methodology. At this time, only water systems are required to complete vulnerability assessments; however, many utility providers are opting for doing the assessments on their wastewater systems because it is expected that these assessments will soon be a requirement for wastewater infrastructure as well. Upon completion of the vulnerability assessment, utility providers are then required to update their Emergency Response Plans accordingly within 6 months. The following chart provides the deadlines for all community water systems serving populations of less than 100,000:

As a part of the process to complete these assessments, you should expect several planning meetings with your utility staff and key decision makers that will be conducted at the beginning and the end of the assessment. Our trained staff will facilitate these meetings and will perform the overall assessment of the system and prepare the final report that will meet all of the federal requirements. We will work as an extension of your utility staff to fully evaluate your systems so that you will be prepared to make the proper decisions if and when emergency situations occur. The vulnerability assessment will include evaluations and discussions of specific topics such as:

• Decision and Risk Analysis
• Planning for a Security Risk Assessment
• Threat Analysis
• Cyber Threat Analysis
• Facility Characterization
• Consequence Assessment
• Existing Physical Protection System
• SCADA Assessment Methodology
• Physical Protection Systems
• Physical Protection Technologies
• Security System Effectiveness
• Risk Analysis
• Risk Reduction
• Emergency Operations Plans

Hobbs, Upchurch & Associates, P.A. welcomes the opportunity to provide our services to you in all facets of civil engineering and utility system planning. We feel that training our staff to assist you with the preparation of these vulnerability assessments is an important step in continuing to provide you with the services that you need. Please contact us at any of our division offices of at our main headquarters if you have questions, need further information, or would like to make an appointment to discuss a water system vulnerability assessment.

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