Secret Study on Water Infrastructure Risks Now Available

The Congressional Research Service has issued a report on the terrorism and security issues facing sewage treatment and drinking water plants, dams and reservoirs, and other water infrastructure. It is full of ideas that reporters could turn into local stories — but the official position of Congress is that only they are allowed to see it.

Access to CRS reports has been a long-running battle. The Federation of American Scientists is one of the organizations that have helped reporters and the public by publishing the tax-funded reports.

"There are no federal standards or agreed upon industry practices within the water infrastructure sector to govern readiness, response to security incidents, and recovery," the report finds. It says that responsibility for most water infrastructure resides at the state and local level. Local journalists, take note.

• "Terrorism and Security Issues Facing the Water Infrastructure Sector," Congressional Research Service, updated July 28, 2008, by Claudia Copeland.