EPA Administrator Awards Water Security Grants to Four Illinois Utilities

6/7/2002

From: Mick Hans, 312-353-5050, or Phillippa Cannon, 312-353-6218, both of EPA Region 5

CHICAGO, June 7 -- EPA Administrator Christie Whitman today announced that four Illinois water systems are among the first to receive water security grants, part of $53 million to help large drinking-water utilities across the nation assess their vulnerabilities. Checks are being sent to Elgin ($115,000), Naperville ($115,000), Rend Lake Conservancy District in Benton ($96,000) and Wilmette ($115,000). It is expected that in upcoming weeks, approximately 400 grants will be provided to assist utilities with security planning.

"Shortly after the terrorist attacks of September 11, EPA redoubled efforts already underway to promote security at America's 168,000 public drinking-water facilities," said Whitman. "These grants will help ensure that the water people rely on is safe and secure."

EPA will also work with states, tribes and other appropriate organizations to further develop and disseminate tools to support security efforts at small and medium drinking-water and wastewater systems.

In response to the attacks of Sept. 11, EPA received a supplemental appropriation from Congress to improve the safety and security of the nation's water supply. The nearly $90 million is intended to reduce the vulnerability of water utilities to terrorist attacks and to help enhance their security and ability to respond to emergency situations.

EPA has allocated $53 million for security planning at large drinking-water utilities. These utilities serve more than 100,000 people each and provide drinking water to about half of Americans served by public water systems. To date, a total of 384 grant applications have been received. Each award will be up to $115,000. Any remaining funds will be directed to other security planning needs.

Developing a vulnerability assessment is the highest priority activity under this grant program, since it is the first step in understanding where a utility can be damaged by terrorist attack. Funds may also be used for developing emergency operations plans and designing security enhancements, or a combination of these efforts.

In addition to the funding discussed by Whitman today, EPA has taken numerous steps to work with utilities to protect the nation's water supply. In October, Whitman formed a Water Protection Task Force. The agency has also provided information about steps utilities can take to protect their water sources and physical infrastructure, including pumping stations, treatment facilities and computer systems.

In addition, EPA worked with Sandia National Labs, a leading security research facility to develop training materials for water companies so they can conduct thorough assessments of their vulnerabilities and determine how to minimize them. Since November 2001, the effort has provided security training to thousands of drinking-water security managers.

In cooperation with the FBI, EPA also has advised local law enforcement agencies across the country of steps they can take to watch for possible threats to water systems. The agency also continues to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and others to improve understanding of how to best counteract chemical or biological agents in water.