EWRI
ASCE
Volume 6, Number 1 • Spring 2004

Water Infrastructure Security Enhancements Workshops:

Guidelines for Designing an On-Line Contaminant Monitoring System for Water Utilities

Water supply and wastewater/storm water utilities are critical elements of infrastructure and are highly vulnerable to purposeful and accidental contamination. Affordable measures to limit physical access to these systems will not provide the level of risk reduction most communities need. An online monitoring system that can provide warning of a serious contamination event in time to institute appropriate responses can greatly enhance the protection of public health.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) is hosting a series of focus group discussions on designing effective online contamination monitoring systems for water utilities. The first discussion took place at ASCE Headquarters in May. Further group discussions will be held:
  • June 3rd, 1:30-5:00 p.m. at the Wyckhoff Auditorium, 901 12th Avenue, PO Box 222000, Seattle, Washington, 98122-1090

  • June 17th, 1:30-5:00 p.m. at the AWWA Annual Conference, Peabody Hotel, 9801 International Drive, Orlando, Florida, 32819

  • June 27th, 8:30 a.m. - Noon at the EWRI of ASCE World Water and Environmental Resources Congress, Grand America Hotel, 555 South Main Street - Salt Lake City, Utah, 84111
Seating is limited and advanced registration is required so visit www.ewrinsitute.org for registration information. The discussions are sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. For additional information, contact Muhammad Amer at 202-785-6429 or mamer@cerf.org.

These sessions will identify and discuss issues that water utilities and surveillance system designers should consider in developing an on-line monitoring system to provide early warning of serious contamination, and will provide guidelines for system design. The design of such a system is very complex, involving a number of competing interests and tradeoffs. There is as yet no standard well-developed methodology for designing and implementing such a system.

The initial portion of each discussion will address the conditions for which such a system is worthwhile. It will then progress through discussions of the contaminants of concern, the concentrations that need to be detected, what instruments are available and useful, where instruments should be placed, how the data should be analyzed and correlated using flow and fate models, data communications needs, interfacing with the existing sampling and analysis protocols, and upgrading with new sensing capability. Questions and discussion will be encouraged.

With EPA funding, ASCE in collaboration with its Environmental & Water Resources Institute has undertaken the development of a guidance document aimed at assisting utilities in establishing and operating an appropriate monitoring system. The focus group discussions will help to ensure that interested organizations have an opportunity to comment upon and contribute to the process.