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New National Biodefense Strategy Aims to Reduce Risks of Drinking Water Contamination

New National Biodefense Strategy Aims to Reduce Risks of Drinking Water Contamination

Created: Thursday, September 20, 2018 - 13:07
Categories:
Contamination, Emergency Response & Recovery, Federal & State Resources

On Tuesday, the U.S. government unveiled the National Biodefense Strategy, which establishes priorities for federal biodefense activities and budgets. Among it goals for making the U.S. safer against modern biological threats, the Strategy proposes to “Strengthen the Resilience of the Water Sector to Prevent or Contain Water-borne Disease Outbreaks.” In support of this goal, the federal government will endeavor to “Identify water system vulnerabilities that increase the risk of drinking water contamination, and promote the development of engineering controls and best practices to reduce the risk.” The Strategy also announces the U.S. government’s intention to develop and exercise decontamination plans, including in cases of contaminated drinking water.