Water utilities have a long history of planning in preparation for emergencies, particularly natural disasters. But contingency and emergency planning has taken on a new dimension with current concern about potential threats to water system security. The range of crises that have become plausible has expanded, and utilities now are considering more robust security procedures and emergency plans than they have historically had in place. When it comes to ensuring a water system’s security, few utilities, regardless of size or geographic location, can function independently. The nation’s water utilities and agencies have an urgent need for the knowledge, information, and guidance related to water security, but they will.
