Wiley Handbook of Science and Technology for Homeland Security, 4 Volume Set

SURVEILLANCE METHODS AND TECHNOLOGIES FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEMS

STANLEY STATES

Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

1 INTRODUCTION

Drinking water utilities are potentially vulnerable to a variety of intentional malevolent acts. These include physical assaults with explosive or incendiary devices, intentional release of harmful treatment chemicals such as gaseous chlorine or ammonia, cyber attacks on utility SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) systems or information systems, and intentional contamination of the drinking water. Intentional contamination is generally considered to be the scenario of greatest concern because this is the one that could potentially affect and could have significant effects on the greatest number of people. Furthermore, if a contamination attack is conducted clandestinely, officials may not become aware of the event until people become ill.

Wastewater utilities are also subject to physical and cyber attacks, as well as the intentional release of dangerous treatment chemicals to the environment. Although wastewater is not ingested, contamination of wastewater collection or treatment systems with flammable substances such as gasoline could result in serious explosions. The intentional addition of volatile toxic chemicals or pathogens could impact the health of wastewater workers and the public. Wastewater systems are also indirectly vulnerable to contamination events in that if the drinking water system becomes ...