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Utility-Based Analytical Methods to Ensure Public Water Supply Security

The security of public water supplies has become a concern following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.  The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is issuing detailed guidance for the response to suspected incidents of intentional contamination.  This guidance recommends rapid, on-site screening of field samples (water, air, and environmental surfaces) as part of the initial investigation of the site of suspected contamination.  In addition to some basic testing, the USEPA guidance recommends use of more extensive screening techniques depending on the resources of the site characterization team.

This paper describes and evaluates some of the commercially available field analytical techniques (devices) that a response team from a drinking water utility, or other agency, could use to test for the presence of acutely hazardous substances at the site. These tests also provide some preliminary, presumptive information on the occurrence and identity of contaminants in the water.  The assays discussed in this paper represent test procedures for a variety of potential contaminants including certain chemical and biological agents that are considered to be credible agents for attacks on water supplies. These field analytical devices have been acquired by the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA), and continue to be evaluated for this application by the PWSA and the University of Pittsburgh.

Although the technology is developing rapidly, it should be noted that the results generated by these field-screening analytical devices are considered presumptive and are not a substitute for standard laboratory analyses. Rather, these assays are intended to provide information for rapid hazard assessment and timely selection of operational and public health responses. Results generated by these analyses must be interpreted with caution.

  • States, S.J., Scheuring, M., Kuchta, J., Newberry, J and Casson, L.W., "Utility-Based Analytical Methods to Ensure Public Water Supply Security", Journal AWWA, Vol. 95, Issue 4, pp. 103-115, April 2003.
     

American Water Works Association awards Dr. Casson and fellow researchers best paper

In June of 2004, the American Water Works Association granted Dr. Casson the 2004 AWWA Management Division Best Paper Award for the paper entitled, "Utility-Based Analytical Methods to Ensure Public Water Supply Security."  The paper was co-authored by Dr. Stanley States of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, M. Scheuring, J. Kuchta, and J. Newberry and is published in the Journal of the American Water Works Association.

  • States, S.J., Scheuring, M., Kuchta, J., Newberry, J and Casson, L.W., "Utility-Based Analytical Methods to Ensure Public Water Supply Security", Journal AWWA, Vol. 95, Issue 4, pp. 103-115, April 2003.

About the Author

Leonard W. Casson, Ph.D., P.E, DEE

Dr. Casson is an Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Casson received B.E. and M.S. degrees from Vanderbilt University in 1980 and 1982, respectively. He received his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin in 1987. Dr. Casson's research activities are in the areas of adsorption, fate, transport and transformation of chemicals, particles and environmental pathogens in unit operations and the natural environment. His most recent research focus is in the area of vulnerability assessments, methodologies and analytical techniques to ensure the security of water treatment and distribution systems and wastewater collection and treatment systems.

Dr. Casson is a registered Professional Engineer in Florida and Pennsylvania and has also received specialty certification as a Diplomate in the specialty of Water Supply and Wastewater by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers. Dr. Casson is an active member of the following professional organizations: AEESP, ASCE, AWWA, and WEF.

Security Training

Dr. Casson has received training and certification in the following security areas since September 11, 2001:

  • Risk Assessment Methodology for Water Surety (RAM-WTM) by the American Water Works Association, July 2002.
  • Risk Assessment Methodology for Water (RAM-WTM) for Small and Medium Sized Utilities by the Pennsylvania Section of the American Water Works Association, October 2003.
  • Train-The-Trainer for the Vulnerability Self-Assessment Tool (VSAT) by the Water Environment Federation, March 2003 for both water and wastewater systems.
  • Instructor for the course entitled "Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction Preparedness and Response for Water and Wastewater Utility Personnel".   Course is funded by the US Department of Justice and sponsored by the National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center (Texas A&M University).

More information on Dr. Casson can be found at his faculty biography page.

 

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