Democracy Rules

There are 148,000 public water systems providing safe and clean water to nearly 329 million Americans. Disruption of these systems would likely bring the affected areas to a standstill, causing severe risks to health and safety as well as much economic loss. For this reason, our federal government provides some protection for these facilities. Since 9/11, the EPA has been developing new security technologies to detect and monitor water contaminants. Law enforcement has been working on preventing security breaches at the reservoirs and watersheds which supply our water systems. Security advocates say if contaminants can be detected early enough, they can be prevented from reaching consumers. If not, our water treatment plants must be able to quickly communicate warnings to their customers. In addition to intentional releases, our water supplies can also be contaminated by naturally occurring chemicals and minerals such as radon, uranium and arsenic. Contamination from urban, factory and farm pollution are threats as well.

However, advocates are most worried that our water systems may be vulnerable to sabotage. In 2014, Boston police arrested 7 men from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Singapore who were discovered trespassing one night at Quabbin Reservoir, the main source of water for Massachusetts. Some of these intruders had recently earned chemical engineering degrees, but were released after police found no wrongdoing. Although this incident did not pose a threat, it may indicate that those who wish us harm are aware of the vulnerability of our water systems.

Proposed Legislation: Reintroduction of H.R.4402 - Inland Waters Security Review Act (116th Congress 2019-2020)
Prospective Sponsor: Rep. Debbie Lesko (AZ)

I oppose reforming current water system security policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Speaker Kevin McCarthy (CA).
I support directing the DHS to submit to Congress an inland waters threat analysis that includes current and potential terrorism and criminal threats, security challenges and mitigation efforts, vulnerabilities that hinder effective security, counterterrorism, anti-trafficking efforts, and trade flow in inland waters, and metrics and performance measures by considering: 1.) Technology and personnel needs and challenges. 2.) The roles and needs for cooperation among federal, state, local, tribal, territorial and international partner law enforcement, as well as private sector partners and the public, relating to inland waters security. 3.) The challenges posed by geography with respect to such security. And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Debbie Lesko (AZ) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.

Winning Option »» No issues were voted

I support directing the DHS to submit to Congress an inland waters threat analysis that includes current and potential terrorism and criminal threats, security challenges and mitigation efforts, vulnerabilities that hinder effective security, counterterrorism, anti-trafficking efforts, and trade flow in inland waters, and metrics and performance measures by considering: 1.) Technology and personnel needs and challenges. 2.) The roles and needs for cooperation among federal, state, local, tribal, territorial and international partner law enforcement, as well as private sector partners and the public, relating to inland waters security. 3.) The challenges posed by geography with respect to such security. And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Debbie Lesko (AZ) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.