United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2005-01-31 monographic deposited born digital 76 p. GA 1.13:GAO-05-165 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-165 P0b002ee180390460 f:d05165 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-24 GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-165 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-165 GAO-05-165 Counterterrorism Facility security Federal funds Funds management National defense operations Potable water Terrorism Wastewater Wastewater management Wastewater treatment Water treatment Homeland security Wastewater treatment plants Clean Water State Revolving Fund Other Written Product A16496 Since the events of September 11, 2001, the security of the nation's drinking water and wastewater infrastructure has received increased attention from Congress and the executive branch. Wastewater facilities in the United States provide essential services to residential, commercial, and industrial users by collecting and treating wastewater and discharging it into receiving waters. These facilities, however, may possess certain characteristics that terrorists could exploit either to impair the wastewater treatment process or to damage surrounding communities and infrastructure. GAO was asked to obtain experts' views on (1) the key security-related vulnerabilities affecting the nation's wastewater systems, (2) the activities the federal government should support to improve wastewater security, and (3) the criteria that should be used to determine how any federal funds are allocated to improve security, and the best methods to distribute these funds. GAO conducted a systematic, Web-based survey of 50 nationally recognized experts to seek consensus on these key wastewater security issues. EPA expressed general agreement with the report, citing its value as the agency works with its partners to better secure the nation's critical wastewater infrastructure. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-165/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-165.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-165/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-165.pdf GAO-05-165 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-165 Other Written Product GAO-05-165; Wastewater Facilities: Experts' Views on How Federal Funds Should Be Spent to Improve Security; Counterterrorism Facility security Federal funds Funds management National defense operations Potable water Terrorism Wastewater Wastewater management Wastewater treatment Water treatment Homeland security Wastewater treatment plants Clean Water State Revolving Fund Public Law 107-188