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LABORATORY INVOLVEMENT IN PLANNING FOR AND RESPONDING TO CONTAMINATION THREATS TO DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS
Citation:
Magnuson*, M L. LABORATORY INVOLVEMENT IN PLANNING FOR AND RESPONDING TO CONTAMINATION THREATS TO DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS. Presented at ACIL Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD, 10/11-14/2003.
Description:
EPA's National Homeland Security Research Center (Office of Research and Development) and Water Protection Task Force (Office of Water) have jointly developed a draft analytical guide that may be used by laboratories to plan for and provide support to a drinking water utility in the event of a contamination threat to the water supply. The document includes: special considerations for handling and analysis of emergency samples suspected of contamination with an unknown substance; procedures for field screening and sample collection; and an approach for the analysis of unknown biological and chemical contaminants, including biotoxins and radionuclides, in water samples.
The analytical guide was developed to take advantage of existing laboratory methodologies and infrastructure. Consequently, federal, state, local, and commercial laboratories will be involved. This presentation will focus on the analytical approach for chemical contaminants, although elements of the analytical approach for biological contaminants may be discussed as well. This presentation will also provide an overview of "Response Protocol Toolbox." The toolbox is designed to assist utilities in planning and responding to contamination threats to drinking water systems, including the overall role of laboratories in the planning and response process.