Resiliency and the Need for Re-Thinking our Water Infrastructure. Andrew Bielanski U.S. Environmental Protection Agency June 25, 2015

Transcription

1 Resiliency and the Need for Re-Thinking our Water Infrastructure Andrew Bielanski U.S. Environmental Protection Agency June 25, 2015

2 Presentation Goals & Focus Define What is Meant by Resiliency Explain EPA s Role & History in Supporting Water Infrastructure Resiliency Describe How to Increase Water Infrastructure Resiliency Explain Funding of Water Infrastructure Resiliency Projects via the State Revolving Funds (SRFs)

3 What is Meant by Resiliency? Merriam Webster Dictionary Definition An ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change. Improving resiliency occurs through (older, established efforts focusing on misfortune ): a) Identifying Threats b) Considering Vulnerabilities and Their Consequences Evaluating Risk of Failure c) Evaluating & Implementing Measures to Either Reduce Chance of Failure (Making More Resilient) or Respond Properly Should a Failure Occur Expand scope of resiliency to include long-term threats and vulnerabilities (newer efforts focusing on change ). For example, improving resiliency by promoting water conservation and water source sustainability.

4 EPA s Role & History in Supporting Water Infrastructure Resiliency Does anyone remember the Bioterrorism Act of 2002 and what it required? Does anyone remember the Homeland Security Presidential Directives, and EPA being named the Sector-Specific Agency for the Water Sector (EPA created a Water Security Division)? All the above came into being following the events of September 11, Scope of resiliency has evolved to include other potential threats such as natural disasters, and also to include long-term threats. Are people aware of EPA s new Water Infrastructure & Resiliency Finance Center?

5 Bioterrorism Act of 2002 Required all drinking water systems serving populations of 3,300 or more to complete and submit Vulnerability Assessments to EPA. Required the same systems to develop Emergency Response Plans based on Vulnerability Assessments. No similar law impacting wastewater treatment plants. Inventory of all assets from vulnerability assessments could also be used to develop asset management plans.

6 Homeland Security Presidential Directives (HSPDs) HSPD-7 Critical Infrastructure Identification, Prioritization, and Protection (names EPA the Sector-Specific Agency for the Water Sector) HSPD-8 National Preparedness HSPD-9 Defense of the United States Agriculture and Food (includes water!) HSPD-10 Biodefense for the 21 st Century All of the above HSPDs can be found at

7 Water Infrastructure & Resiliency Finance Center Focus Areas Include: Financing Resilient Water Infrastructure Integration of water efficiency, energy efficiency, green infrastructure and water reuse in water system. Financing Stormwater & Green Infrastructure Programs Support communities in development of sustainable funding for stormwater programs and green infrastructure projects. Financial Capacity Building for Small & Medium Communities Build upon existing collaboration with other partners to build their financial capabilities and resiliency. Website:

8 How to Increase Water Infrastructure Resiliency Engage in planning efforts that identify and analyze threats, vulnerabilities, and their consequences. These planning efforts could include: a) Vulnerability Assessments b) Emergency Response/Recovery Plans Implement projects that aim to maintain the integrity of water infrastructure by reducing chances of failure. For example: a) Physical hardening of equipment and structures. b) Utilizing green infrastructure to reduce flooding and system failures as a result of flooding. Implement projects that aim to prevent disruption of operation. For example: a) Installation of back-up power generators. b) Mutual aid agreements with other systems/utilities for equipment, parts, and assistance. Engage in planning efforts and projects that target long-term threats and vulnerabilities. For example: a) Asset Management b) Energy Conservation c) Water Conservation

9 Example of a Need to Improve Resiliency Columbus, Indiana Wastewater Treatment Plant (May 2008)

10 Pictures of Flooded Columbus, Indiana Old Wastewater Treatment Plant (May 2008)

11 Solution to Columbus, Indiana Resiliency Problem New $56 million wastewater treatment plant in a less flood-prone location. Included water efficiency, energy efficiency, and green infrastructure elements. Received SRF funding to help finance project. Received EPA SRF Award for design and incorporation of green elements. Old wastewater treatment plant abandoned and demolished.

12 Resiliency Planning Tools & Contacts Resiliency Tools & Contacts (older, established efforts): o EPA s Water Security website has many useful tools & can be found at Climate Resilience Evaluation & Awareness Tool (CREAT) Community Based Water Resiliency Tool Factsheet on back-up power generators Ten new rip & run water sector incident action checklists for natural disasters And more! o WisWARN Wisconsin s water infrastructure emergency response network can be found at o EPA s Flood Recovery & Resilience Tool Smart Growth perspective to flood resilience involving a Vermont case study can be found at (scroll all the way down)

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15 Resiliency Planning Tools & Contacts Resiliency Tools & Contacts (newer): o Various Asset Management Tools can be found at EPA s Asset Management Resources website at EPA s Asset Management: A Best Practices Guide EPA s Check Up Program for Small Systems (CUPSS) software New Mexico Environmental Finance Center s Asset Management Guide Virginia Tech s Sustainable Water Infrastructure Asset Management Online Non-degree Program And more! o For long-term resiliency, focus on long-term sustainability see EPA s Water Infrastructure Sustainability website at o Water Infrastructure & Resiliency Finance Center

16 Funding of Water Infrastructure Resiliency Projects via the SRFs Two Types: Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) When created: o CWSRF established in the 1987 Clean Water Act Amendments. o DWSRF established in the 1996 Safe Drinking Act Amendments. All 50 States and Puerto Rico have both a CWSRF and DWSRF program. Both CWSRF and DWSRF are directed to have fund balances available to perpetuity, and are held in trust (that is, cannot be used for non-specified projects and purposes).

17 Federal SRF Tools & Contacts ofactsheets & Eligibility Guidance Posted on SRF websites & describe what can be funded under the SRF programs. CWSRF at DWSRF at ofinancing Alternative Comparison Tool (FACT) ogreen Project Reserve website at

18 Examples of Issued SRF Resiliency Guidance Use of the CWSRF to Implement Security Measures at Publicly-Owned Wastewater Treatment Works (2003) Using the DWSRF to Implement Security Measures at Public Water Systems (2001)

19 A Few Parting Words The scope or spectrum of water infrastructure resiliency has expanded! Avoid preaching to the choir! Reach out to the general public since they need to understand why water infrastructure resiliency is important and the need to invest in it! Remember! Good planning & better design More resilient projects SRF funded!

20 My Contact Information Andy Bielanski, Environmental Engineer, EPA Region 5 Phone: (312) Fax: (312) bielanski.andrew@epa.gov