Security approaches against intentional contamination of water supply systems

摘要

The rational and sustainable use of water resources perhaps constitutes the most important topic of the XXI century: water undoubtedly symbolizes the blue gold of the future. Therefore it is very important, with reference to water supply systems, to have an effective prevention, control and mitigation of ordinary and extraordinary risks. With special reference to intentional contamination of water resources, this paper presents the problems that must be taken into account for a water system in order to develop an effective vulnerability assessment. The paper also presents a detailed picture of the preliminary tests of a wide-ranging experimental investigation to examine analytical methods for identification and quantification of contaminants. The experiments, even though until now only carried out for an irritating agent (Capsaicin), allowed us to define analytical test procedures in order to detect the various contaminants and to value subsequently the concentration. Other experiments are in progress with reference to Ricina which is one of the more dangerous pollutant agents.