By Judy Sheahan
May 26, 2003

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, on May 22, passed S. 1039, the "Wastewater Treatment Security Act of 2003". The bill authorizes $200 million in grants to conduct vulnerability assessments and enhance security at wastewater treatment facilities.

The grants can be used for barriers, fencing, gates, security lighting, cameras, securing manhole covers, rekeying of doors, detection systems, controlling access to systems, system backup, employee training, and security screening. The money cannot be used to pay for personnel costs or operation or maintenance of facilities or equipment. The Federal share can not exceed 75 percent of the total cost and the total amount of the grant can not exceed $150,000 for any publicly owned treatment works.

Money has also been authorized ($15 million) for these same activities for small publicly owned treatment works which is defined as any system that services a population of fewer than 20,000 individuals.

Facilities will not be required to submit a copy of the vulnerability assessment to any federal agency including the Environmental Protection Agency.

A similar bill, H.R. 866, passed the full House on May 7.