Securing our water
Santa Clara County water supply, water
distribution systems security measures

Like all public utility agencies the Santa Clara Valley Water District has operated under heightened security measures since 9/11/01. The district stands ready to increase security measures based on guidance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other federal and state agencies.

There are still no specific, credible threats against Santa Clara County's water supply/distribution system; experts continue to believe that Santa Clara Valley Water District facilities are unlikely targets. However, the district is taking all prudent steps to protect the integrity and safety of the county's water supply, as well as district personnel.

Acting upon recommendations from counter-terrorism experts and associations of water agencies the district implemented the following measures:

• Around-the-clock presence of security guards at all water treatment plants.

• Video monitoring at all key facilities.

• Intrusion detection and alarm systems at all key facilities.

• Daily inspection of key facilities.

• General increase in already heightened security procedures such as identification for employees and visitors at all facilities, and searches of automobiles entering key facilities.

• Suspension of public tours at key facilities.

• Continuing emphasis on security at staff briefings.

• Revised security procedures, including district response to bomb threats.

• Testing to ensure that water quality continues to exceed required federal and state standards.

Cooperation, coordination and communication are essential elements of the district's response to threats, should they arise. Measures in effect include:

• Sharing security information and planning information with Santa Clara County’s public agency and investor-owned water retail agencies, as well as with nearby water districts that depend on the same sources of imported water.

• Participation in the Santa Clara County Operational Area as well as other local and regional organizations and associations, and mutual-aid agreements.

• Use of Standardized Emergency Management Systems/Incident Command System (SEMS/ICS) procedures to manage response and mitigation efforts to real or perceived threats.

• Continuous notification of intelligence, information and alerts from the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy, Department of Transportation, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the Awareness National Security Intelligence Reports, as well as the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies and American Water Works Association.