Security Measures

Vulnerability Assessments help identify and prioritize the best security measures for each wastewater system. (more on Vulnerability Assessments...)

Physical wastewater security measures include the following:

• Barriers, fencing and gates
• Security lighting
• Re-keying doors and locks
• Motion detectors, alarms or cameras
• Smoke and chemical detection systems
• Emergency back-up generators
• Locking manhole covers in critical areas
• Secured lift stations
• Personal safety equipment
• Computer firewalls

Security measures can also be administrative procedures or planning activities such as:

• Evaluating Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems for cyber attack vulnerability
• Protecting computer access
• Securing the storage and backup of key records and data
• Using incident reporting logs or forms
• Developing a chain of custody procedure for chemical deliveries
• Performing background checks on employees
• Preparing an Emergency Response Plan

The brochure, “Fifteen Ways to Secure Your Municipal Wastewater Treatment Construction Project” (PDF, 129KB, 2 pages) contains information on security measures to use during the construction phase of wastewater treatment projects.

The article, “Clean Water Fund Program Eligibility for Security Equipment”, contains information on the types of security equipment that are eligible for loans through the DNR Clean Water Fund Program.

The article, “Confidentiality and Submittal of Plans and Specifications”, contains guidance on the submittal of plans and specifications for security measures for approval by the DNR.

The U.S. EPA’s Water Security web site (exit DNR) includes a Security Product Guide (exit DNR) with information on costs and sources of security equipment. The guide includes information on:

• Acquisition, communication, and integration of data
• Cyber protection products
• Physical wastewater security measures
• Water/wastewater monitoring products

A guidance document entitled “Interim Voluntary Security Guidance for Wastewater/Stormwater Utilities”, contains information on:

• Making decisions about security measures
• Cost-effective security solutions
• Operational changes which may improve security
• General design recommendations
• Cyber security measures
• Installation of electric and electronic security devices
• Recommended wastewater security measures.

Contact the Water Environment Federation (exit DNR) for more information on how to obtain the interim guidance document.

The article, “SCADA Systems and Security Equipment Alarms”, provides guidance on integrating data from security alarms to SCADA systems or alarm control panels.