When mercury is spilled, it shatters into tiny beads and spreads in many directions. These tiny droplets can accumulate in the smallest places. The droplets emit toxic, odorless vapors, which can be very dangerous when inhaled by people or pets.
Methamphetamine (meth) made in makeshift laboratories, such as rented apartments or hotel rooms, may cause contamination of indoor air and property and pose a risk of fire or explosion. When law enforcement officials seize a meth lab, containers and…
The DNR has received questions about health risks to wastewater treatment plant/sanitary sewer workers from sewage containing the Ebola virus. There is very little research on the fate and transport of the Ebola virus in wastewater collection…
Anticipating problems can prevent them. In an emergency, first responders will come to help. Eighty percent of Wisconsin's fire departments are staffed with volunteers. Protecting their safety by planning ahead is important. Chain-of-command…
Vulnerability Assessments are a good way to determine what types of security measures meet each wastewater system's needs. Vulnerabilities may consist of flaws in security procedures, software, internal system controls, transmission of data, or the…
The U.S. EPA sponsors workshops on using the VSAT™ (Vulnerability Self-Assessment Tool) computer software program through the Water Environment Federation [exit DNR]. These workshops are free, and wastewater operators who live more than 100 miles…
Vulnerability Assessments help identify and prioritize the best security measures for each wastewater system. Physical wastewater security measures include:
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems can integrate data from motion sensors, security lights, window/door alarms, surveillance cameras and other security equipment alarms. Should you program your SCADA system to monitor and…
The federal Senate Environment Committee asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to identify how wastewater security measures should be prioritized and funded. The final report was issued in January 2005. A summary of the findings are:
What is pandemic influenza? A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. A flu pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which people have little or no immunity and for which there is no vaccine. The disease spreads easily person-to-person…