AWIA Section 2013: Risk and Resilience Assessments
The America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA), signed into law on October 23, 2018, amended Section 1433 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to require community water systems (CWSs) serving more than 3,300 people to develop or update Risk and Resilience Assessments (RRAs) and Emergency Response Plans (ERPs).
These assessments help utilities evaluate their vulnerabilities to both natural hazards and malevolent acts and strengthen the resilience of critical water infrastructure. AWIA also establishes recurring deadlines by which systems must certify to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the completion of these plans.
Deadlines
Community water systems are required to review and recertify their RRA and ERP every five years. The next deadlines are based on population served:
| Population Served | Previous RRA Deadline | Next 5-Year Submission Cycle RRA Deadline |
| =100,000 | March 31, 2020 | March 31, 2025 |
| 50,000-99,999 | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2025 |
| 3,301-49,999 | June 30, 2021 | June 30, 2026 |
| Population Served | Previous RRA Deadline | Next 5-Year Submission Cycle ERP Deadline* |
| =100,000 | March 31, 2020 | March 31, 2025 |
| 50,000-99,999 | December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2025 |
| 3,301-49,999 | June 30, 2021 | June 30, 2026 |
*ERP certifications are due six months from the date of the RRA certification. The dates shown above are certification dates based on a utility submitting an RRA on the final due date.
What the Assessments Must Include
For RRA assessments, each CWS serving a population of over 3,300 will need to assess the risks and resilience of its system. Assessments will include:
- The risk to the system from malevolent acts and natural hazards
- Resilience of the pipes and constructed conveyances, physical barriers, source water, water collection and intake, pretreatment, treatment, storage and distribution facilities, electronic, computer or other automated systems that are utilized by the system
- Monitoring practices
- System financial infrastructure
- Chemical use, storage and handling
- System operation and maintenance
Following RRA certification, each system must prepare or revise, if necessary, an ERP that incorporates the RRA findings. This includes:
- Strategies and resources to improve the resilience of the system's physical security and the cybersecurity
- Plans, procedures and equipment to implement in case of a emergencies that threatens the ability to deliver safe drinking water
- Actions, procedures and equipment that can prevent or significantly reduce the impact of a malevolent act or natural hazard on the public health and safety of the public drinking water supply. This includes the development of alternative source water options, relocation of water intakes and construction of flood protection barriers
- Strategies to aid in the detection of malevolent acts or natural hazards that threaten the security or resilience of the system
For additional information, please visit the EPA website.
How B&N Can Help
Burgess & Niple assists water utilities nationwide in preparing and updating Risk and Resilience Assessments and Emergency Response Plans that meet EPA requirements.
Please contact us for more information or assistance with RRA or ERP compliance.
Kevin Campanella, PE
Kevin.campanella@burgessniple.com
614.571.4631 x1401
Brenton Hasenour, PE
Brenton.hasenour@burgessniple.com
812.777.4265 x4266