The Federal government requires a certain level of vulnerability assessment and resultant safety measures for drinking water plants. Should it require the same level for wastewater treatment facilities? Solution Federal law does not address wastewater security as comprehensively as it does drinking water security. In particular, wastewater facilities are not required by law to complete vulnerability assessments. This stands in contrast to the requirements for drinking water utilities in the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (the Bioterrorism Act),which required drinking water utilities serving populations greater than 3,300 to complete vulnerability assessments by June 2004. The Clean Air Act does require wastewater facilities using more than 2,500 pounds of gaseous chlorine to submit to EPA a risk management plan that lays out accident prevention and emergency response activities. Also, under EPA guidance, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program, administered by the states with EPA funding to help local governments meet their wastewater treatment needs, can be used in many instances for certain wastewater system security enhancements. While federal statutes governing wastewater security are limited, in December 2003, the president issued Homeland Security Presidential Directive 7 (HSPD-7), designating EPA as the lead agency to oversee the security of the water sector (including both drinking water and wastewater). Under the directive, EPA is responsible for (1) identifying, prioritizing, and coordinating infrastructure protection activities for the nation\'s drinking water and water treatment systems; (2) working with federal departments and agencies, state and local governments, and the private sector to facilitate vulnerability assessments; (3) encouraging the development of risk management strategies to protect against, and mitigate the effects of, potential attacks on critical resources; and (4) developing mechanisms for information sharing and analysis. So it does require same level of waste water treatment facilities .

1. The Federal government requires a certain level of vulnerability assessment and resultant safety
measures for drinking water plants. Should it require the same level for wastewater treatment
facilities?
Solution
Federal law does not address wastewater security as comprehensively as it does drinking water
security. In particular, wastewater facilities are not required by law to complete vulnerability
assessments. This stands in contrast to the requirements for drinking water utilities in the Public
Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (the Bioterrorism
Act),which required drinking water utilities serving populations greater than 3,300 to complete
vulnerability assessments by June 2004. The Clean Air Act does require wastewater facilities
using more than 2,500 pounds of gaseous chlorine to submit to EPA a risk management plan that
lays out accident prevention and emergency response activities. Also, under EPA guidance, the
Clean Water State Revolving Fund program, administered by the states with EPA funding to
help local governments meet their wastewater treatment needs, can be used in many instances for
certain wastewater system security enhancements. While federal statutes governing wastewater
security are limited, in December 2003, the president issued Homeland Security Presidential
Directive 7 (HSPD-7), designating EPA as the lead agency to oversee the security of the water
sector (including both drinking water and wastewater). Under the directive, EPA is responsible
for (1) identifying, prioritizing, and coordinating infrastructure protection activities for the
nation's drinking water and water treatment systems; (2) working with federal departments and
agencies, state and local governments, and the private sector to facilitate vulnerability
assessments; (3) encouraging the development of risk management strategies to protect against,
and mitigate the effects of, potential attacks on critical resources; and (4) developing
mechanisms for information sharing and analysis.
So it does require same level of waste water treatment facilities