Need to know

Since the events of September 11, 2001, improving the security of our nation's drinking water and wastewater infrastructure has been a high priority. As critical infrastructure, water systems can be subject to intentional attacks as well as unintentional contamination and must be protected. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plays a critical role in this effort as the lead federal agency for water security. This investigation was undertaken at the request of EPA to conduct research to: (1) compare public and drinking water professional personnel's assessments of critical information needs arising from the intentional contamination of a municipal water supply; and (2) obtain public evaluation of draft messages developed for such an occasion. The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education provided technical assistance. Information was collected from both utility professionals and members of the public (water consumers) in four metropolitan areas in the United States (northeastern, southeastern, midwestern and western). Twenty-four one-hour discussions were held with a total of 38 drinking water utility professionals. Four two-hour focus groups with members of the general public who use the municipal water supply were conducted in each of the four study cities, with a total of 113 respondents participating.