July 22, 2003
As part of EPA's continuing efforts to help small drinking water utilities assess their vulnerabilities to terrorist attack, EPA Assistant Administrator for Water G. Tracy Mehan III announced the award of nearly $2 million to the National Rural Water Association (NRWA). Through this grant award, NRWA will assist small community water systems serving populations between 3,300 and 10,000 people with security planning. By June 30, 2004, these drinking water systems are required to submit vulnerability assessments to EPA under the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002. Through a combination of training sessions, on-site technical assistance, and internet based tools, the NRWA will educate system personnel about the Act and provide assistance in preparing vulnerability assessments and emergency response plans. Under this project, NRWA will assist approximately 4,400 community water systems in complying with the Act. The 4,400 systems serve between 3,300 and 10,000 people in the 48 contiguous states and the state of Alaska. For more information on EPA's water infrastructure security efforts go to: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/security/.