AMWA Awards Westin Engineering Contract to Build and Operate Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center --WaterISAC--.

Business Editors

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 12, 2002

The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) has awarded a contract to a team led by Westin Engineering, Inc. to develop and operate the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (WaterISAC). The team also includes HDR, EWA IIT, Inc., and Candle Corp.

"The WaterISAC will be a rich and secure source for intelligence, analysis, research and the latest thinking on water system security for thousands of drinking water and wastewater utilities. Member-utilities will have access to the information they need to protect against potential threats to their security," said Diane VanDe Hei, Executive Director of AMWA. "The Westin team has the technology, qualifications and clearances to make the WaterISAC a reality."

AMWA is an organization of the CEOs running the nation's largest, publicly-owned drinking water agencies. In 1998, AMWA was named by the EPA as the official liaison between all U.S. water utilities and the federal government. AMWA's web site address is www.amwa.net.

The WaterISAC will tap intelligence, law enforcement, public health and environment agencies to provide timely warning of potential physical, cyber and contamination threats to all drinking water and wastewater utilities throughout the country. Through a secure Web portal, the WaterISAC will provide research and analysis that will assist utilities in identifying and assessing threats to water systems.

"Westin's team forms a powerful alliance with a proven track record on major technology and security projects," said Doug Harp, President and CEO of Westin. "The team's knowledge of water and wastewater systems, facilities, controls, chemistry and security combined with threat analysis experience is important to this project and to protecting America's water systems."

"It's an honor and a challenge to be selected for this project," said Doug Fitzgerald, National Director of Security and Technology of HDR. "The effort to protect our nation's water infrastructure demands the absolute best from each of us." HDR Vice President Edward Tenny added, "The WaterISAC will provide a unique, creative tool to enhance the security of drinking water and wastewater facilities throughout the U.S."

Over the coming months, the Westin team will develop the WaterISAC using secure technology, government-cleared facilities, and proven analytical processes. This will ensure the security of the sensitive information in this repository. AMWA and the Westin team will launch the WaterISAC in December 2002.

Westin Background

Westin tailors advanced technology to the unique needs of water and wastewater utilities, public agencies and municipal governments. Westin has delivered some of the largest Information Technology and control-system implementations in the water utility industry, as well as custom IT applications, telecommunications and networking solutions. Westin applies experience in business strategies and management, decision support, security, control system engineering, operational tools, and technology. Westin has offices throughout the United States and has delivered technology solutions for more than 20 years. See more information at www.westinsolutions.com.

HDR Background

Founded in 1917, Omaha, Nebraska-based HDR is one of the largest U.S. employee-owned firms providing architecture, engineering, and consulting services. It is ranked the 10th largest provider of water engineering services by Engineering News-Record magazine. HDR employs more than 3,000 architects, engineers, scientists, planners and other professionals in over 70 cities worldwide. Learn more about HDR's services and projects at www.hdrinc.com.

EWA Information and Infrastructure Technologies, Inc.

EWA Information and Infrastructure Technologies, Inc. (EWA IIT) is a broad-based information technology company that was created to focus on critical infrastructure protection. EWA IIT protects people, information, and assets through full lifecycle security, intelligence, implementation and recovery services. EWA IIT created and operates the Surface Transportation Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ST-ISAC) which provides 24/7/365 cyber and physical security incident report and warning to its members. Learn more about EWA IIT at www.ewa-iit.com.

Candle Corporation Background

Candle Corporation is one of the world's largest independent software and services companies. Candle provides solutions to manage and optimize business-critical infrastructures, systems, service levels and other information technology assets.

The National Center for Crisis and Continuity Coordination (NC4(TM)) is a division of Candle Corporation and is headquartered in Reston, Va. The center is a for-profit organization focused on improving crisis and continuity management through bridging and collaboration of public and private organizations. Learn more about NC4 at www.nc4.us.