Barr has conducted drinking water risk and resiliency assessments (RRA) and developed emergency response plans (ERP) for the cities of Victoria, Bloomington, Fridley, New Brighton, and Richfield and Owatonna Public Utilities in Minnesota to meet the America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) requirements. The primary purpose of the AWIA, administered and enforced by the EPA, is to improve drinking water and water quality, increase infrastructure investments, and enhance public health. Barr’s services included conducting RRAs to assess, manage, and mitigate potential risks and identify areas of resiliency for drinking water utilities. We evaluated potential risks of natural hazards and malevolent acts to water utility infrastructure. Our services also included developing and/or updating ERPs, including tabletop exercises, to prepare drinking water utilities for emergencies. The ERPs incorporated the results of the RRAs and included plans, procedures, communication information, and identification of equipment that can be used in the event of a natural hazard or malevolent act or other emergency event on the water system.
These projects provided valuable information on potential security and cybersecurity risks to the water system and updated emergency response plans while saving clients valuable time and providing our knowledge and expertise. Because this was newer requirement. city clients were uncertain how to proceed and appreciated Barr’s guidance throughout the process, such as developing risk and resiliency assessments, and updating and/or developing emergency response plans. Barr staff members are trained by the EPA in AWIA requirements and are AWWA certified.