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Abstract

This document, prepared by the ERNCIP Thematic Group on “Chemical and biological risks to drinking water” summarises the key findings from a number of recent reviews undertaken to assess the current situation regarding water security planning with the European Union. A large number of initiatives were found to exist at International, European Union and Member State level. Although a limited response obtained to a survey of water utilities and sensor manufacturers, recommendations for the basis of a Water Security Plan were suggested.

The Water Safety and Security Conference organised in Brussels on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Groundwater Directive gave the opportunity to present such recommendations for validation.

The Water Security Plan concept was positively received by the stakeholders (including policy makers and other actors of the EU regulatory framework). The key outcomes show that: (i) security being primarily a matter for Member States, the concept of a Water Security Plan as part of Water Safety Plans is validated/recommended; (ii) preference for guidance rather than further legislation emerged from the discussions; (iii) the concept of a demonstration project captured the audience’s interest and various issues related to online monitoring were addressed.

To conclude, the visibility of the ERNCIP TG-Water is strengthened and its recommendations for a Water Security Plan as part of a Water Safety Plan were validated, as well as the need for efficient and integrated online monitoring. Implementation of such a concept will now be clarified in ERNCIP TG-Water’s work programme for the next two years.

Mon, 2016-06-20

Abstarct

The assets associated with the production and supply of drinking water are regarded as critical infrastructure (CI) that must be protected against a wide range of incidents that could compromise its integrity. Of concern are those incidents that occur infrequently and often with little or no prior warning and have the potential to cause major contamination or disrupt the supply of drinking water.
Member States have included the security of water supply in their national security plans and have conducted vulnerability assets. Organisational responsibility rests with different government departments depending on the country. Several countries reported conducting research at the national level aimed at safeguarding water supply.
Several organisations within the European Commission have implemented action at EU level and Comité Européen de Normalisation (CEN) have several working groups concerned with security and water supplies in particular. In addition, a considerable number of research projects have been funded by the Commission.
The assessment is of a very fragmented structure for critical infrastructure protection (CIP) with the European Union. There appears to be overlapping in responsibility for drinking water security between different organisations, which to a certain extent would be expected because of the wide variety of threats that could potentially compromise the integrity of a water supply system.
This review has not yet covered all Member States, but it is intended to act as an active document that will be periodically revised to take account of new developments. The information will be used to support the ongoing work of the Thematic Group for Chemical and Biological Risks to Drinking Water with the development of its programme of work aimed at managing chemical and microbiological risks.

Mon, 2016-06-20

Abstarct

The objective of this deliverable is to describe the proposal for the creation of a water security plan (WSecP) at EU level focused on water quality security, and not physical security only, although physical security should be also included.