Emergency Plan - Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority

EVENT SPECIFIC GUIDELINES 21(ESG-21)
TERRORIST ATTACK
Terrorist Attack
3.4.26. SITUATION
Water and wastewater utilities are considered by the federal government to be one of
the nation’s “critical infrastructures”, which also makes them a potential terrorist
target.
While it is believed to be highly unlikely, it is possible that GSWSA could be the
target of a terrorist attack.
While it is believed to be highly unlikely, if a true terrorist organization chooses to
target GSWSA, there is little that could be done to stop them.
3.4.27. THREAT or HAZARD INFORMATION
The worst-case scenario for a terrorist attack involving GSWSA would be a
successful contamination of our water Distribution System. While this is possible, it
would be extremely difficult to accomplish, for a variety of reasons.
Terrorists could have many potential alternatives to a full water system
contamination. The possibilities are almost endless, but some potential options might
include: contaminating one portion of our water system; causing physical damage or
destruction to one or more water treatment facilities; interrupting power to our
facilities; causing physical damage or destruction to one or more wastewater
collection or treatment facilities; disrupting our SCADA / telemetry systems;
disrupting our computer system; causing physical damage or destruction to our
Operations or Administrative Centers; attacking our employees; intentionally causing
a chlorine release; etc.
3.4.28. CONCEPT of OPERATIONS
GSWSA has conducted a comprehensive security Vulnerability Analysis (VA) of all
our facilities and operations. The VA results and associated report are maintained
under separate cover and are under very tight security restrictions.
The findings and recommendations of that report are being addressed, in part through
updates and revisions to this plan that improve our emergency response procedures
and capabilities, and also through a “Security” Capital Improvement Project (CIP)
that deals with physical security improvements.
Given the assumption that a true terrorist organization would have the resources to
carry out a planned attack despite any preventive measures we could realistically
implement, GSWSA has chosen to focus our efforts primarily on early detection and
rapid, effective response to the effects of the attack.
In the event of ANY terrorist activity targeting or involving GSWSA, full activation
and implementation of our emergency plans will be required, as will close
coordination with local, County, State, and Federal resources.
Grand Strand Water & Sewer Authority 145 CONFIDENTIAL MATERIALS
Emergency Management Plan
SECURITY SENSITIVE
June 7, 2013
NOT FOR PUBLIC
DISCLOSURE