[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 147 (Tuesday, October 30, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11214-S11215]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. JEFFORDS (for himself, Mr. Smith of New Hampshire, and Mr. 
        Crapo):
  S. 1593. A bill to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental 
Protection Agency to establish a grant program to support research 
projects on critical infrastructure protection for water supply 
systems, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Environment and 
Public Works.
  Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, Members of the Senate, I rise before you 
today to introduce the Water Infrastructure Security and Research 
Development Act. This legislation authorizes the U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency to provide funding to support research projects on 
critical infrastructure protection for water supply systems.
  Our Nation's water supply system is truly unique. It uses a 
decentralized, community-based approach to provide superior water 
services to all citizens of the United States. Here, we turn on the tap 
in our homes and receive clean, fresh water without giving it much 
thought. This not the way water systems operate throughout the world.
  A 1997 United Nations report on the state of water resources 
worldwide states that at least one-fifth of all people do not have 
access to safe drinking water, and more than one-half lack adequate 
sanitation. Quoting from the report:

       The World Health Organization estimates that a total of 
     more than five million people die each year just from 
     diseases caused by unsafe drinking water, and a lack of 
     sanitation and water for hygiene. Provision of safe drinking 
     water and sanitation could reduce the amount of illness and 
     death by as much as three-quarters, depending on the disease.

  In this country, we often take our water system for granted. When 
considered in the international context, the true value of our water 
system becomes more apparent. We truly have something to protect.
  During my tenure as Chairman of the Environment and Public Works 
Committee, we have been evaluating the state of our Nation's water 
infrastructure, both drinking water and wastewater. It is clear that we 
have work to do to modernize our existing systems and ensure that we 
continue to provide clean, safe water to our citizens into the future. 
Our discussions in the Committee tend to focus on infrastructure 
replacement needs, the funds that will be required, and the extent of 
the federal role. I am committed to this process, and I look forward to 
continuing to work with my colleagues on legislation that we plan to 
introduce early next year.
  However, today, I rise to speak to you about another aspect of our 
Nation's water infrastructure--security. Since the events of September 
11, I have worked with the members of the Environment and Public Works 
Committee and the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure that we are 
taking the steps necessary to protect our nation's water infrastructure 
system during these times. There are many short term actions that have 
already been taken.
  Based on the recommendations of Presidential Decision Directive 63, 
issued by President Clinton in 1998, the Environmental Protection 
Agency and its industry partner, the Association of Metropolitan Water 
Agencies, have established a communications system, a water 
infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center, designed to 
provide real-time threat assessment data to water utilities throughout 
the nation.
  Through this partnership, the Environmental Protection Agency and the 
Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies are working to develop 
generic assessment tools that individual water utilities can use to 
assess their facilities for potential physical and cyber threats. I 
believe that the rapid completion of both these tools and the 
individual assessments is imperative. In early October, I sent a letter 
to the President with Senators Smith, Graham, and Crapo and 
Representatives Tauzin, Dingell, Gillmor, and Pallone requesting that 
he use a portion of the $20 billion of discretionary funds provided to 
the Administration by Congress this year to provide assistance for 
these assessments to water utilities.
  The legislation I am introducing today with Senator Smith will take 
us one step further by authorizing support of both ongoing efforts 
under Presidential Decision Directive 63 and new research to assess 
potential threats to our water supply system and develop solutions.
  This legislation authorizes twelve million dollars per year from 2002 
to 2007 for the Environmental Protection Agency to use for grants to or 
cooperative agreements with research institutions. Projects conducted 
under these agreements will be used to conduct research addressing 
physical and cyber threats at water supply systems, improvements in 
information sharing and analysis efforts, and technical assistance and 
training. These projects will address both drinking water and 
wastewater systems that make up our nation's water supply 
infrastructure.

[[Page S11215]]

  Eligible research institutions will include public and private 
entities, including national laboratories that perform research that 
will improve the security of water supply systems. Our legislation 
includes a provision to ensure that those entities conducting this 
research have the ability to effectively safeguard sensitive 
information.
  Individual projects will fall into a series of categories designed to 
develop the information we need to protect our water supply system 
nationwide.
  First, projects will assess the security issues for water supply 
systems by conducting assessments and developing and refining 
vulnerability assessment tools.
  Second, projects will protect water supply systems from potential 
threats by developing technologies, processes, guidelines, standards, 
and procedures for the purpose of protecting water supply systems. 
Projects will also develop real-time monitoring systems to protect 
against chemical, biological, or radiological attack.
  Third, projects will develop technologies and processes for 
addressing the mitigation, response and recovery of biological, 
chemical and radiological contamination of water supply systems.
  Fourth, projects will implement requirements of Presidential Decision 
Directive 63 by refining and operating the Information Sharing and 
Analysis Center to capture and share threats, events and best 
practices.
  Finally, projects will test and evaluate new technologies and 
processes by developing regional ``pilot facilities'' to demonstrate 
upgraded security systems, assess new technologies, and to determine 
operational and cost impacts due to enhanced security.
  Individual awards may not exceed one million dollars. Test and 
evaluation projects will be cost-shared on a 50-50 basis.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues on this legislation and 
other efforts to enhance the security of our Nation's water 
infrastructure in the weeks, months, and years to come. We truly have 
something to protect; clean, safe, fresh water is worth our investment.
                                 ______