Last Updated: 09/06/2019
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Installation
What do I need on my computer to get started? (System Requirements)
At minimum, your computer should have:
- Microsoft Windows 10
- 1 GHz or Higher Dual Core Processor
- 2 GB of RAM or Higher
- 1 GB of Free Disk Space
- 1024×768 or Higher Resolution
- DSL or better internet connection (recommended)
SEMS and Server/Network Administrator Information:
SEMS Software Suite will not disrupt any current network or system setups. The installation process requires little information or invasion in the computer’s configuration. The installation process will handle the installation of any required software. Depending on the type of installation (Single Computer/Network Installation), your requirements for network access varies. Outside of the SEMS Software, we only install Microsoft and Adobe licensed products, including the following:
- Windows 2016 Server or Higher
- 4 GB of RAM or Higher
- 2 GHz or Faster Dual Core Processor
- 20 GB of Free Disk Space
- .NET Framework 3.5
- Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Express (Included)
- Microsoft SQL Server Express or Full 2012 or Higher
- Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 2012 or Higher
- Adobe Acrobat Reader 8.0 or Higher
If you are not within these guidelines, please call us and we can discuss what you currently have and if we are able to use it.
Operation through Single Computer or Multiple Computers:
- One Computer – Download Server Install on the computer you want to operate SEMS on.
- Multiple Computers – Download Server Install on the computer acting as the server, and then download the Client Install on all the computers you want to connect to the server.
Once you have determined either a Single Computer or Multiple Computers, use the form below to access a download package. The package includes the SEMS Client Software, SQL Server 2012 for SEMS, and Installation Instructions.
I already have SQL Server 2016 or SQL Server 2017. Will SEMS still be compatible?
The provided installer will attempt an install of SQL Server 2012, and will not be compatible for other versions.
Getting Started
I don’t know how or have time to set up my database.
Please call 678 845 0243 to get started.
I get an error when I try to start SEMS: 'Can't connect to database'.
Check the entered details for Server Name, Database Name, Username, and Password.
With the correct details entered, click ‘Ok’, and re-launch SEMS.
If a problem persists, make sure that your Firewall is not blocking the network ports. You will want to configure Windows Firewall to Allow SQL Server Access.
Give SEMS a call if we can help you with this. Support can be reached at 678 845 0243.
Updates
How often do you do updates to the software?
How do I know if there's an update available?
If you are a customer that is hosted on our server, then updates are automatically handled for you.
How do I find out what's in the update?
How do I run a SEMS Update?
Please allow for both downloads to process. You will be presented again with a window and button stating ‘Update SEMS Now’, with “Update Complete” stated in the bottom-left corner. You may click close and re-open SEMS.
Features
What is SEMSCast?
What are SEMS Alerts?
SEMS Security: Vulnerability Assessment and Emergency Response Plan
How Do I Create My Consumer Confidence Report?
How Do I Create A Cross Connection Control Plan?
SEMS Security
How do I set up System Security Within SEMS?
Vulnerability Assessment and Emergency Response Plan
I think that I have completed a section but the percent complete bar indicates that I have not completed it 100%. What is the problem?
If it is in the ‘Vulnerability Assessment’ Security Assessment portion where you must answer 45 questions click on the progress report button (the notebook with a red check mark) next to the section. It will list every question and what is missing in the incomplete questions. Click on the question and it will automatically link you to that question so that you can finish the incomplete portion.
If it is in the ‘Vulnerability Assessment’ Contact Information, Mission/Threat, and Assess Critical Equipment or the ‘Emergency Response Plan’ Local Emergency Planning, Plans/Actions/Procedures, and Coordination sections, you must have typed text in every field. You can put in whatever response you want such as: ‘does not apply.
I want to put in more than 1 employee who is responsible for a particular task in the Plans/Actions/Procedures portion of the 'Emergency Response Plan.' How can I do that?
How do I submit my vulnerability assessment (VA), VA certification letter, and emergency response plan (ERP) certification letter to U.S. EPA?
If I serve fewer than 3,300 people do I have to comply with the 2002 Bioterrorism Act and submit my VA and ERP certification letter to EPA?
I saved my information and then shut the program down. Now when I go back into the program and select my system, the information is no longer available. What happened to all the information?
Why is the video playing slow, the words are not matching up with the sound or the sound is not understandable?
I put multiple infrastructure items into one category, like groundwater 'I had 3 wells. I know that I put in the information but I do not see them when I return to the Critical Infrastructure Screen. What happened to my data?
I want to use this to develop my entire emergency response plan including natural disasters. Can this program do that?
How do I edit something in the report that I printed?
How do I get back to the main vulnerability assessment or emergency response plan pages?
I have 8 wells with 8 different pws numbers. Can I do 1 VA and ERP for all of them?
I have the two different systems with two different PWS ID numbers and they enter the same distribution system and are almost identical. Can I copy the information that I developed for one of them into my other nearly identical system and modify it to create another va and erp?
I can not pull up my system information by manually entering my PWS ID number?
The windows (e.g. the 'critical infrastructure? or 'assess critical assets' screens) are skewed and are not fully visible. What is the problem?
I serve more than 10,000 people. Can I use this program to comply with the law?
This software program clearly does everything the law requires. The software program walks systems through a sequential process to identify all the components of the water system including the critical infrastructure, critical customers and redundant items. and ensures that systems review all components including but not limited to’ the ones contained in the law. The 45 questions then are used to evaluate each of the components contained in the law and inventory. Further, question 14 asks the system explicitly about operation and maintenance of security systems.
Further, EPA has reviewed this document and has indicated that it not only meets the requirements of the bioterrorism law but it also meets the six elements that are common to a vulnerability assessment. We were very careful to make sure that EPA reviewed and indicated that it meets the elements that they thought would satisfy their guidelines. Further, EPA has added a link to their website that links to the NRWA vulnerability assessment web site at www.vulnerabilityassessment.org.
I would like to stress the word ‘guidelines’. Even though the document meets all six of the EPA identified elements common to a comprehensive Vulnerability Assessment, Congress clearly indicated in the conference report (Page H2844) that EPA has no authority to tell water systems what tool they can or cannot use to comply with the Bioterrorism law. The report reads, ‘Chairman GILLMOR, EPA has no power to promulgate regulations or guidance to define what is an “acceptable” vulnerability assessment; there is only a one-time duty to provide information to community water systems by August 1, 2002. In addition, Section 1433 only defines a vulnerability assessment to the extent that it includes a review of certain specified items, most of which are based on the definition of a public water system under Section 1401 of the SDWA. Thus, no community water system is required to use any particular vulnerability assessment tool, to conduct any specific type of analysis, to determine the consequences of any intentional or terrorist acts, analyze the use of any specific chemicals or characterize the risk of any offsite impacts.
The 2002 Bioterrorism Act also requires systems to, ‘Each community water system serving a population greater than 3,300 shall prepare or revise, where necessary, an emergency response plan that incorporates the results of vulnerability assessments that have been completed. Each such community water system shall certify to the Administrator, as soon as reasonably possible after the enactment of this section, but not later than 6 months after the completion of the vulnerability assessment under subsection (a), that the system has completed such plan. The emergency response plan shall include, but not be limited to, plans, procedures, and identification of equipment that can be implemented or utilized in the event of a terrorist or other intentional attack on the public water system. The emergency response plan shall also include actions, procedures, and identification of equipment which can obviate or significantly lessen the impact of terrorist attacks or other intentional actions on the public health and the safety and supply of drinking water provided to communities and individuals. Community water systems shall, to the extent possible, coordinate with existing Local Emergency Planning Committees established under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (42 U.S.C. 11001 et seq.) when preparing or revising an emergency response plan under this subsection.
Clearly, the emergency response plan incorporates the results of the VA. It develops scenarios to respond to based on the identified threats and critical infrastructure that you have identified in your VA. It also requires the user to understand how they would react in situations to ensure that critical customers, identified in the VA, are ensured that they will be enabled to complete their mission. In addition it enables the system to define how they would respond to redundant items that may become compromised. For each scenario that is based on the VA, the system develops plans, actions, and procedures to mitigate the event. Further each scenario has equipment identified that can be implemented or utilized in the event of a the threat identified in the VA (i.e. ‘a terrorist or other intentional attack on public water systems’). The list of equipment also includes things that can be used to significantly lessen the impact of a terrorist attack or other intentional act on the PWS. Lastly, the emergency response plan requires that the PWS work with the LEPC and requires clear documentation of when this requirement was met and identification of the individuals that were contacted.
If I complete the VA and ERP on this software will I comply with the 2002 Bioterrorism Act?
This software program clearly does everything the law requires. The software program walks systems through a sequential process to identify all the components of the water system including the critical infrastructure, critical customers and redundant items. and ensures that systems review all components including ‘but not limited to’ the ones contained in the law. The 45 questions then are used to evaluate each of the components contained in the law and inventory. Further, question 14 asks the system explicitly about operation and maintenance of security systems.
Further, EPA has reviewed this document and has indicated that it not only meets the requirements of the bioterrorism law but it also meets the six elements that are common to a vulnerability assessment. We were very careful to make sure that EPA reviewed and indicated that it meets the elements that they thought would satisfy their guidelines. Further, EPA has added a link to their website that links to the NRWA vulnerability assessment web site at www.vulnerabilityassessment.org.
I would like to stress the word ‘guidelines’. Even though the document meets all six of the EPA identified elements common to a comprehensive Vulnerability Assessment, Congress clearly indicated in the conference report (Page H2844) that EPA has no authority to tell water systems what tool they can or cannot use to comply with the Bioterrorism law. The report reads, ‘Chairman GILLMOR, EPA has no power to promulgate regulations or guidance to define what is an “acceptable” vulnerability assessment; there is only a one-time duty to provide information to community water systems by August 1, 2002. In addition, Section 1433 only defines a vulnerability assessment to the extent that it includes a review of certain specified items, most of which are based on the definition of a public water system under Section 1401 of the SDWA. Thus, no community water system is required to use any particular vulnerability assessment tool, to conduct any specific type of analysis, to determine the consequences of any intentional or terrorist acts, analyze the use of any specific chemicals or characterize the risk of any offsite impacts.’
The 2002 Bioterrorism Act also requires systems to, ‘Each community water system serving a population greater than 3,300 shall prepare or revise, where necessary, an emergency response plan that incorporates the results of vulnerability assessments that have been completed. Each such community water system shall certify to the Administrator, as soon as reasonably possible after the enactment of this section, but not later than 6 months after the completion of the vulnerability assessment under subsection (a), that the system has completed such plan. The emergency response plan shall include, but not be limited to, plans, procedures, and identification of equipment that can be implemented or utilized in the event of a terrorist or other intentional attack on the public water system. The emergency response plan shall also include actions, procedures, and identification of equipment which can obviate or significantly lessen the impact of terrorist attacks or other intentional actions on the public health and the safety and supply of drinking water provided to communities and individuals. Community water systems shall, to the extent possible, coordinate with existing Local Emergency Planning Committees established under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (42 U.S.C. 11001 et seq.) when preparing or revising an emergency response plan under this subsection.’
Clearly, the emergency response plan incorporates the results of the VA. It develops scenarios to respond to based on the identified threats and critical infrastructure that you have identified in your VA. It also requires the user to understand how they would react in situations to ensure that critical customers, identified in the VA, are ensured that they will be enabled to complete their mission. In addition it enables the system to define how they would respond to redundant items that may become compromised. For each scenario that is based on the VA, the system develops plans, actions, and procedures to mitigate the event. Further each scenario has equipment identified that can be implemented or utilized in the event of a the threat identified in the VA (i.e. ‘a terrorist or other intentional attack on public water systems’). The list of equipment also includes things that can be used to significantly lessen the impact of a terrorist attack or other intentional act on the PWS. Lastly, the emergency response plan requires that the PWS work with the LEPC and requires clear documentation of when this requirement was met and identification of the individuals that were contacted.
See our Full Line of Products
SEMS Technologies carries a full line of management products to give you the flexibility you need. Additional features can be tailored to meet your system’s unique needs.