Physical Security
for Water Infrastructure
Risk Strategy Group conducts on-site physical security assessments for water treatment facilities, distribution systems, and wastewater plants, benchmarked against America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA 2018) requirements.
2018
Assessment Mandate
Security Experience
Certified
Qualified
Compliance Ready.
Not Just Compliant.
AWIA requires water systems to assess their risk and resilience. RSG conducts the physical security component of that assessment, identifies your vulnerabilities, and delivers a documented remediation roadmap your team can act on before the next required review cycle.
Physical Security Site Assessment
On-site evaluation of the facility’s physical security posture: perimeter fencing, access control, surveillance coverage, lighting, vehicle barriers, and critical area protections, documented against AWIA Risk and Resilience Assessment requirements.
Treatment Plants · Pump Stations · Distribution InfrastructureAWIA Risk & Resilience Assessment Support
RSG addresses the physical security components of the federally required Risk and Resilience Assessment (RRA) under AWIA Section 2013, covering perimeter integrity, access control, monitoring, and physical vulnerability identification.
AWIA §2013 Aligned · EPA RRA FrameworkEmergency Response Plan Development
AWIA requires utilities to develop and maintain an Emergency Response Plan. RSG can develop a new ERP or review and update an existing one, covering physical security incidents, access control failures, and threat response protocols.
AWIA Requirement · FEMA Aligned · ICS CompatibleChemical Storage Area Security Review
Water and wastewater facilities store hazardous chemicals: chlorine, ammonia, fluoride. RSG consultants hold HAZWOPER certification and SCBA Level B qualification, enabling direct assessment of chemical storage areas that most security consultants cannot safely enter.
HAZWOPER Certified · SCBA Level B · Restricted Area QualifiedAccess Control & Perimeter Evaluation
Review of current access control methods, perimeter configurations, visitor and contractor management procedures, and monitoring coverage, with specific recommendations for treatment plants, pump stations, and remote distribution assets.
Multi-Site Capable · Remote Asset AssessmentWritten Findings & Remediation Roadmap
The primary deliverable. A written assessment report with prioritized findings, risk ratings, and a step-by-step remediation sequence. Formatted for both operational staff and board-level review. Supports documentation requirements for AWIA certification.
Board-Ready · AWIA Documentation SupportFrom Discovery to
Documented Compliance
Four steps from first call to a remediation roadmap your team can act on, with optional ERP development to complete your AWIA requirements.
Discovery Call
RSG reviews the system size, population served, AWIA tier classification, number of facilities, existing security posture, and compliance timeline.
On-Site Assessment
RSG consultants conduct a structured physical security survey benchmarked against AWIA RRA requirements across all relevant facilities.
Findings & Roadmap
Written report documenting every physical security gap, its risk level, and a prioritized remediation sequence your team can act on.
ERP Development
Optional: RSG develops or updates your Emergency Response Plan to satisfy the AWIA ERP requirement alongside the physical security assessment.
Optional Add-OnThe Scope. Clearly Stated.
RSG conducts the physical security assessment your utility needs to satisfy AWIA requirements. We are not an EPA-authorized certifying entity. We prepare your facility and documentation so you can certify with confidence.
| RSG Can Help With | Outside Our Scope |
|---|---|
| ✓ Physical security site assessments | ✕ Official AWIA RRA certification or EPA submission |
| ✓ AWIA RRA physical security components | ✕ Cybersecurity or SCADA/ICS system assessments |
| ✓ Perimeter and access control evaluation | ✕ Water quality testing or treatment operations |
| ✓ Chemical storage area security review | ✕ Financial infrastructure assessment |
| ✓ Emergency Response Plan development | |
| ✓ Written findings and remediation roadmap | |
| ✓ Multi-site assessments (treatment plants, pump stations, remote assets) | |
| ✓ Personnel security awareness training |
Qualified to Do This Work
RSG’s consultants hold critical infrastructure, hazardous materials, and emergency management credentials that directly apply to water and wastewater facility assessments, including certifications that qualify them to work in chemical storage areas most consultants cannot access.
Clients Served
Cody Martin
Founder / Principal ConsultantCody has over 21 years of experience in federal law enforcement, physical security, and training. As a former federal agent, he conducted national-level training on IED recognition and response, managed threat programs across multiple states, and served in executive protection roles including a presidential detail. During his federal career he held HAZWOPER certification and SCBA Level B qualification, directly applicable to chemical storage areas in water and wastewater facilities. He has worked with more than 20 Fortune 500 companies, as well as government agencies, schools, and critical infrastructure clients across the country. Holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Tarleton State University.
Dace Clifton
Executive Vice PresidentDace has over 18 years in law enforcement, with experience at a nationally recognized major metropolitan police department where he served as a SWAT Sniper before being promoted to Sergeant. As a supervisor, he led a crime prevention unit that conducted hundreds of physical security assessments annually across government, commercial, and industrial facilities. He maintains active law enforcement credentials and brings extensive background in critical infrastructure protection, Emergency Operations Plan development, and multi-site assessment programs. He was involved in security and tactical planning for nationally significant events, including the Super Bowl and World Series, alongside Homeland Security and federal law enforcement. Holds a Ph.D. in Theological Studies and a TCOLE Master Peace Officer certification.
Critical Infrastructure Protection
- Infrastructure Protection
- Critical Infrastructure Security & Resilience Awareness
- Critical Asset Risk Management
- Critical Infrastructure Resilience & Community Lifelines
- Threat & Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment (THIRA)
- Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)
Hazardous Materials & Response
- Hazardous Waste Operations & Emergency Response (HAZWOPER)
- Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), Level B
- Biological Detection System Operator
- Forensic Sampling & Suspicious Substance Screening
- Handheld Trace Detection
- Real Time Radiography (RTR) Operator
Security Risk Management
- Security Risk Management Professional (SRMP-C)
- Security Risk Assessment
- Physical Security
- Bomb Threat Preparedness & Response
Emergency Management & Planning
- Multi-Hazard Emergency Operations Plan Development
- Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP)
- National Incident Management System (NIMS)
- Incident Command System (ICS)
- Hazard Analysis
- Emergency Communications
Know Your Vulnerabilities Before Someone Else Does
Water infrastructure is a designated federal critical infrastructure sector and an increasingly targeted threat environment. RSG assesses your physical security posture, documents what needs to change, and delivers a remediation roadmap, so your utility is ready before the next required review cycle.