EPA has begun the beta testing phase of the enhanced version of its Vulnerability Self Assessment Tool (VSAT) (version 6.0). VSAT is a downloadable application that provides a systematic means for water and wastewater systems to evaluate their risks and vulnerabilities related to terrorism and natural disasters.
For the last several months, EPA has been upgrading the tool to make it easier to use and compatible with the AWWA J100-10 Risk and Resilience Management of Water and Wastewater Systems standard.
According to EPA, improvements have been made to user interfaces and functionality to make the software more intuitive and easier to navigate. The most significant enhancement has been the addition of a New Analysis Wizard that guides users through the selection of assets, countermeasures and threats using simplified templates. In addition, small system users may now import data from earlier assessments conducted with SEMS.
Other enhancements include the use of quantitative risk metrics, such as value of statistical life and injury for monetizing risk; inclusion of resilience metrics; prioritization of assets; a proxy method for threat likelihood; and the addition of ice storm, wildfire and dependency threats to the standard threat listing.
Comments must be received by Wednesday, February 5. Interested members should contact AMWA's Michael Arceneaux ([email protected]) to access the application and documentation.