Decontamination Preparedness and Assessment Strategy Water Security Division ASDWA Webinar Series for the State Security Coordinators August 23, 2017

Outline Explain the purpose and benefits of the Decontamination Preparedness and Assessment Strategy Provide Tool Overview State- EPA Partnerships

Think About this…. Do utilities in your state incorporate the remediation process in their Emergency Response Plan (ERP)?

Decontamination Preparedness and Assessment Strategy (DPAS) Designed as a interactive preparedness tool Provides information on the remediation process of a contamination event at a water utility Provides an efficient process for utilities to address the complexities of remediation

DPAS Includes: Information on water and wastewater treatment and infrastructure decontamination Worksheets, checklists and other resources to aid the remediation process Information on key statutes and regulations relevant to remediation. The principal roles and responsibilities to increase understanding of the Incident Command System (ICS)

DPAS - Benefits for States and Utilities Explains the steps involved in the remediation process Provides utilities with a printable strategy, including actions that can be taken prior to an event to increase preparedness Provides a list of resources and other tools available to help prepare for an event Provides an overview of statutes and regulations applicable to contamination incidents Provides an overview of important public health and environmental safety considerations during an remediation event.

Overview of Decontamination Preparedness and Assessment Strategy (DPAS)

Confirmed Contamination Remediation Recovery DPAS Overview  Characterize the Impact of the Contamination  Determine Clearance Goals  Develop Characterization Strategy  Implement Characterization Strategy  Select Treatment and Decontamination Methods  Develop Treatment and Decontamination Strategy  Implement Water Treatment Strategy  Implement Infrastructure Decontamination Strategy  Develop and Implement the Clearance Strategy  Complete Extensive Evaluation of Strategy Results  Finalize Remediation Activities  Complete Incident Report and Perform After-Action Review 2. Decontamination 1. Characterization 3. Clearance

Key Decisions Characterization Phase What is the extent of the contamination? Is treatment needed? For example, the flowchart can be used prior to an event to become familiar with the process and the type of information that is needed and during an event to help the utility make key decisions.

Characterization Phase 1. Characterize the Impact of the Contamination 2. Determine Clearance Goals 3. Develop Characterization Strategy 4. Implement Characterization Strategy

Decision Framework Characterization Phase Proceed to Clearance Phase Proceed to Decontamination Phase 4. Is natural attenuation adequate to eliminate the public health impacts based on exposure assessment, water and infrastructure impacted, contaminant information, and effectiveness of public notification? NO YES The DPAS provides Decision Frameworks for each of the phases that that will help a utility to plan for an event.

Confirmed Contamination Remediation Recovery DPAS Overview  Characterize the Impact of the Contamination  Determine Clearance Goals  Develop Characterization Strategy  Implement Characterization Strategy  Select Treatment and Decontamination Methods  Develop Treatment and Decontamination Strategy  Implement Water Treatment Strategy  Implement Infrastructure Decontamination Strategy  Develop and Implement the Clearance Strategy  Complete Extensive Evaluation of Strategy Results  Finalize Remediation Activities  Complete Incident Report and Perform After-Action Review 2. Decontamination 1. Characterization 3. Clearance

Key Decisions Decontamination Phase What treatment should be implemented? Is infrastructure decontamination necessary? Is remediation verification criteria attained?

Decontamination Phase 1. Identify Options and Select Water or Wastewater Treatment Methods 2. Develop Water or Wastewater Treatment Strategy 3. Implement Water or Wastewater Treatment Strategy 4. Develop and Implement Infrastructure Decontamination Strategy

Decision Framework Decontamination Phase Proceed to Clearance Phase Remediation verification criteria attained? YES Are clearance goals met? YES NO 4. Develop and Implement Infrastructure Decontamination Strategy

Confirmed Contamination Remediation Recovery DPAS Overview  Characterize the Impact of the Contamination  Determine Clearance Goals  Develop Characterization Strategy  Implement Characterization Strategy  Select Treatment and Decontamination Methods  Develop Treatment and Decontamination Strategy  Implement Water Treatment Strategy  Implement Infrastructure Decontamination Strategy  Develop and Implement the Clearance Strategy  Complete Extensive Evaluation of Strategy Results  Finalize Remediation Activities  Complete Incident Report and Perform After-Action Review 2. Decontamination 1. Characterization 3. Clearance

Key Decisions Clearance Phase Have the clearance goals been met? What incident reports need to be completed and records retained?

Clearance Phase 1. Develop and Implement the Clearance Strategy 2. Evaluate Results and Decide if the System Has Been Cleared 3. Develop and Implement Final Remediation Activities 4. Complete Incident Report and Perform After-Action Review

Decision Framework Clearance Phase Have the clearance goals been met? Decision “not cleared” Could the Clearance Goals be too strict? YES NO Are there other concerns, such as aesthetic issues or public perception? Decision “cleared”

ADDITIONAL FEATURES of DPAS

Incident Command System Structure

Preparedness Checklist

Decision-Making Framework Checklist

Case Studies Objective is to highlight challenges and the approaches utilities take during the remediation process. Case Study 1 Drinking water plant affected Highlight the complexity of the determination of clearance goals and agency (e.g., CDC and the Public Health Department) roles Case Study 2 Wastewater treatment plant affected Highlight the benefits of developing an SAP

Scenario Demo

Scenario A utility confirmed gasoline contamination within the finished water storage tank located within the distribution system. Odor in water and consumer complaints led to identification of gasoline contamination at the 200,000 gallon ground level finished water storage tank. Confirmed high concentration in storage tank and lower concentration in distribution system

State- EPA Partnership

States- What Can you Do? Promote the strategy to utilities/partners Provide support to utilities as they develop plans e.g., Standard Operating Procedures, Waste Management Plan, Sampling Analysis Plan, Remediation Action Plan, etc. Identify additional resources that can aid utilities during the remediation process Identify trainings & opportunities for utilities Encourage and participate in emergency preparedness training and exercises Provide continuing education credits (CEUs)

EPA’s Next Steps Finalize Strategy – Tentative Fall Publication Partner with states and EPA regions to promote the strategy Partner with states and other stakeholders (NRWA, RCAP, AWWA Sections, etc.) to assist small/ medium size utilities Conduct DPAS training

Contact Information For more information on the Decontamination Strategy, please contact: Marissa Lynch, U.S. EPA Environmental Engineer Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water Phone: (202) 564-2761 Email: lynch.marissa@epa.gov Veronica Aponte-Morales, U.S. EPA ORISE Research Fellow - Environmental Engineer Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water Phone: (202) 564-4663 E-Mail: aponte-morales.veronica@epa.gov