Understanding Your Utility Risks
AWIA/SDWA §1433 requires community water systems serving more than 3,300 people to complete an RRA that assesses risk and resilience to malevolent acts and natural hazards. Gradient Planning delivers practical, system-specific RRAs with clear priorities for action.
Why risk assessments matter
Utilities operate in high-stakes environments where unidentified vulnerabilities can lead to service disruptions, compliance failures, or security breaches. A comprehensive risk assessment reveals where your organization is most exposed.
Why assess risk:
Better decision making for utility
Reveal hidden operational vulnerabilities
Manage aging infrastructure and equipment
Keep up with evolving cyber and physical threats
Regulatory requirement
Sets up utility for a more effective Emergency Response Plan
What to include:
Physical barriers
Source water
Pipes and constructed conveyances; water collection and intake
Pretreatment and treatment
Storage and distribution facilities
Electronic, computer, or other automated systems (including the security of such systems)
Monitoring practices
Financial infrastructure
Use, storage, or handling of chemicals
Operation and maintenance of the system
Comprehensive risk intelligence for smarter decisions
Gradient Planning conducts thorough risk assessments across infrastructure, operations, cybersecurity, and environmental factors. We identify vulnerabilities, score their potential impact, and deliver prioritized mitigation strategies that fit your budget and timeline.
Threat & Vulnerability Analysis
Identify weak points across natural and man-made threats physical, cybersecurity, financial infrastructure, and operations across 10 asset categories, as required by the American Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA)/U.S. EPA.
Risk Scoring & Prioritization
Quantify and document risk levels, then score and rank mitigation actions based on consequence reduction, implementation feasibility, and operational benefit. Translate results into a clear prioritization roadmap that supports U.S. EPA Risk and Resilience Assessment certification. This approach identifies vulnerabilities and strengthens a utility’s capacity to withstand, adapt to, and rapidly recover from service disruptions.
Using Risk Results, Improve Emergency Response Plans
Use risk assessment findings to strengthen and update Emergency Response Plans (ERPs), ensuring procedures reflect your highest-priority threats and real operational constraints. Align roles, triggers, notifications, and response actions with AWIA/U.S. EPA expectations so staff can act quickly and consistently to protect safe drinking water during disruptions.
What you'll receive
Inventory of Top Risks
Detailed inventory of identified risks (that is, asset-threat pairs) with impact scores and likelihood ratings.
Comprehensive Assessment
A complete, AWIA-aligned assessment that ties together vulnerabilities, credible threats, and consequences so you can see where risk is highest and what to fix first. You receive a clear picture of potential impacts, including economic losses, lost revenue, operational downtime, and life-safety outcomes such as accidents and injuries, translated into practical, utility-ready priorities.
Implementation Roadmap
A practical, step-by-step roadmap that turns Risk & Resilience Assessment findings into measurable utility improvements. You receive prioritized recommendations, owners and timelines, and clear next actions including targeted updates to your Emergency Response Plan (ERP) so procedures, roles, triggers, and communications align with the highest-risk scenarios identified in the assessment.
“Exceptional Partner”
“The City of Framingham’s Water & Wastewater Department has been working with Gradient Planning each year since 2017 on all aspects of risk management. Gradient Planning has been an exceptional partner to Framingham, offering practical solutions-focused planning that consistently strengthens our overall preparedness. Their deep subject-matter expertise and willingness to respond to our evolving needs, has allowed Framingham to progressively work toward our preparedness goals and continue to maintain compliance along the way.”
Kate Lancraft, P.E., C.S.P.
Founder and Managing Director
Gradient Planning, LLC
“Gradient Planning has exceeded our expectations in every aspect of emergency preparedness consultancy. Kate Lancraft provides a comprehensive approach, attention to detail, and tailored programs that ensure our organization is empowered to handle any scenario with confidence. From risk assessments to customized training sessions, Kate has been a partner to our team. With unparalleled expertise and dedication to our safety and resilience, it is clear that Gradient Planning is committed to our continual improvement. Without hesitation, I highly recommend Gradient Planning to any organization serious about safeguarding its future.”
25+
years supporting critical infrastructure resilience
Deep, sustained experience helping water and wastewater utilities manage risk, maintain continuity, and meet evolving regulatory expectations.
100%
regulatory acceptance of risk assessments and ERPs
All assessments and emergency response plans accepted by EPA and state regulators with zero corrective follow-up required.
50+
utilities served across small, mid-size, and large systems
Trusted by utilities in New England and beyond to deliver practical, solutions-focused planning tailored to real operational conditions.
Common questions about risk and resilience assessments
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We evaluate physical infrastructure, cybersecurity, operational, environmental, and regulatory risks.
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Most assessments are completed within 6-12 weeks, depending on utility size, complexity, and availability of utility staff to support the assessment.
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Yes. We can support implementation or provide ongoing advisory services as needed.
Be ready before it happens
Every moment counts during an emergency — plan ahead with a partner who's been there.