Vulnerability Assessment

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-029873",
  "term": "Vulnerability Assessment",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. An evaluation of drinking water source quality and its vulnerability to contamination by pathogens and toxic chemicals.\n\n2. An assessment to determine the vulnerability of a water system to a terrorist attack or other intentional acts intended to substantially disrupt the ability of the system to provide a safe and reliable supply of drinking water or otherwise present public health concerns. Under the Bioterrorism Act, the assessment should include (but not be limited to) such elements of a system as pipes and constructed conveyances; physical barriers; water collection, pretreatment, treatment, storage and distribution facilities; electronic, computer or other automated systems utilized by the water system; the use, storage, or handling of various chemicals; and the operation and maintenance of such system.\n\n3. Characterize the degree to which a system is susceptible to, or unable to cope with adverse effects of climate change, including climate variability and extremes. Vulnerability is a function of the character, magnitude, and rate of climate variation to which a system is exposed; its sensitivity; and its adaptive capacity.\n\n4. Evaluation of drinking water source quality and its vulnerability to contamination by pathogens and toxic chemicals.",
  "subject": "Water",
  "references": [
    "Safe Drinking Water Act Glossary; Drinking Water Glossary",
    "Water Security Glossary",
    "Resilience and Adaptation in New England (RAINE) Glossary",
    "Drinking Water Glossary 2009"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/vulnerability-assessment/"
}