This book reflects the outcome of a three day NATO Advanced Workshop entitled "Supply of Water to Cities in Emergency Situations." Some 35 experts from 14 countries from Europe, the Middle East and Asia assembled in Tel-Aviv for this event. It illuminates a broad spectrum of problems and concerns to the orderly water supply ranging from floods to a surprisingly low concern related to intentional terror-related threats.

These guidelines have been designed to help those involved in the assessment of emergency water sources to collect relevant information in a systematic way, to use this information to select a source or sources and to determine the appropriate level of treatment required to make the water suitable for drinking.

The reality of the post-September 11 situation forces the operators of water supply systems through the world to examine the security and safety of their systems, its vulnerability to intentional interference and sabotage with respect to quantity and quality of potable water. In assessing system vulnerability, there is an urgent need to develop emergency response plans providing ways and means for alternative water supply at the moment of system operation disruption, and system remediation and recovery after the attack. Security of Water Supply Systems: from Source to Tap presents the state-of-the art with a view to the future, conclusions from past experiences are highlighted and future developments are suggested in the field of drinking water safety.