The southeastern portion of Virginia, known as Hampton Roads, is ranked as the 28th largest metropolitan area in the nation, with an estimated population of 1.5 million. Situated near the Atlantic Ocean, Hampton Roads is an ideal location for the United States Navy.

To live in Hampton Roads means being minutes from a naval installation. The Navy, which owns a great deal of land and buildings in the area, not only has military personnel stationed in Hampton Roads, but also employs many of the community’s local civilians. These installations serve as homeports for both ships and aircraft squadrons, and offer support to the Atlantic Fleet.

Getting Prepared

Since O'Brien & Gere has assisted over 20 water utilities, which serve over 4 million people with similar efforts, it was a perfect match. Under an IDC contract issued by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, NAVFAC Atlantic, O’Brien & Gere assisted NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic in preparing Vulnerability Assessments (VAs) and Emergency Response Plans (ERPs) for water systems at 12 military bases and 3 housing areas in Hampton Roads.

The VAs and ERPs complied with the requirements of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness Act of 2002, and the Department of Defense (DoD) Policy on Drinking Water Vulnerability Assessment and Emergency Response Plans dated July 2003. Since significant guidance on security matters and emergency management were already in place, extensive coordination was required with the numerous layers of the Navy, including NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic

Completing the Mission

Using the steps identified in the Sandia RAM-WSM (Risk Management Methodology – Water) and United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) Emergency Response Plan Guidance, O'Brien & Gere conducted a series of workshops.

These workshops obtained information on the Navy’s water systems and standard operating procedures, which were required to meet the following project goals:

• Identify the critical mission/objectives for the water system
• Ensure the continuity of the mission
• Evaluate susceptibility to potential threats, and identify corrective actions to reduce the risk of serious consequences
• Review critical elements, and develop a guide for the water system for security upgrades and/or modifications
• Institute a structure for developing risk reduction options and associated costs
• Enhance the utility’s preparedness and emergency response activities

O'Brien & Gere streamlined the process and developed 15 VA's in a 5-month period. Based on extensive experience and  knowledge of regulations and Sandia protocols, O'Brien & Gere was able to cost-effectively meet the USEPA deadline for submission.

For a copy of O'Brien & Gere's Portfolio Magazine, please contact Tom Kogut

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