Small Water Systems Seminar Set for Oct. 28

HOUSTON – The Texas Water Resources Institute, Texas Cooperative Extension, Southeastern Technical Advisory Center and the Environmental Protection Agency have partnered to offer a “Homeland Security Issues for Small Water Systems” workshop on Oct. 28 in Houston.

“The workshop will provide information about homeland security issues to small water systems managers,” said Monty Dozier, an Extension water resources specialist. “It is also designed to help small water systems with both short-term and long-term planning.”

The workshop will take place at the Extension office for Harris County, 3033 Bear Creek Dr., Houston.

Registration starts at 8 a.m. The cost is $20, which includes lunch. Speakers will include J.P. Riordan, an FBI agent specializing in counter-terrorism, Larry Bell from the Texas Rural Water Association, and representatives from the Office of Rural and Community Affairs, the Lower Colorado River Authority and the EPA.

Todd Kent, a political science professor with Texas A&M University, will speak about the university’s Homeland Security Center and the need to organize governmental agencies and operations to ensure rapid and effective responses to failures in essential community services.

Dr. Kelly Brumbelow, a researcher in the Texas A&M University System Civil Engineering Department, will address the need to assess homeland security issues related to interdependent services, including water systems and fire protection.

Elizabeth Bristow, a Texas A&M civil engineering graduate student, will address how to respond to water contamination. Gene Theodori, Extension specialist in recreation, park and tourism sciences, will also address homeland security issues related to those areas.

For more information or to register, call the Texas Water Resources Institute at (979) 845-1851 or go to http://water-workshop.tamu.edu .

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