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Newsletter #434 - June 2, 2026 |
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Register for EPA's 2026 National Cyber Drill |
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Join the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the 2026 National Cybersecurity Drill on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm EDT. This year’s exercise is designed to challenge drinking water and wastewater utilities to maintain critical system functions in an environment where telecommunications and internet access are no longer available.
"The exercise is built around a simulated scenario in which cyber and/or physical incidents degrade or disable commercial telecommunications infrastructure, internet service providers, and associated systems. As a result, participating organizations must operate in a “disconnected” environment with limited or no access to Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) remote connectivity, cloud-based services, email, Voice over IP (VoIP), and other digital communication tools. This exercise is designed to strengthen sector-wide resilience by testing operations under progressively degraded conditions. It enables participants to identify barriers and dependencies while reinforcing continuity of safe and reliable water and wastewater services in the absence of telecommunications and internet connectivity."
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be provided in most states.
In preparation for the 2026 National Cyber Drill, EPA is hosting an informational session for drinking water and wastewater utilities.
This 1-hour informational session on Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 1:00 pm EDT is designed for utilities interested in participating in the 2026 drill, with a focus on testing the transition to manual operations and operating in a degraded state before or during the drill. The session will provide practical guidance. Subject matter experts will be available to answer questions and offer support on planning and executing manual operations testing. |
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Tap Talk |
Raising Your Hand: The Value of Industry Involvement
For Tap Talk’s landmark 75th episode, we welcomed on Hunter Adams, the Water Source & Purification Superintendent for the City of Wichita Falls, Texas. With Jennifer & Steve, Hunter discusses the importance of getting involved with the water industry and giving back to the water community. Hunter also explains the story behind the series of “What Operators Need to Know” articles he writes and edits for the American Water Works Association’s OpFlow magazine.
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Featured Video |
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As the Colorado River dries up, how Western states are confronting the water crisis
PBS NewsHour
"Roughly one in ten Americans gets their water from the Colorado River. But a worsening drought, driven in part by climate change, is drying up the river, and states are fighting over water rights. Horizons moderator William Brangham explores what that means for communities and industries that depend on that water with Luke Runyon, Wade Crowfoot and Joel Ferry."
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2026 State of the Water Industry Report |
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The American Water Works Association (AWWA) has released its 2026 State of the Water Industry report. The report describes a water sector that remains generally stable today but is facing growing long‑term challenges. It highlights that the industry’s five‑year outlook has dropped to its lowest point in nearly a decade, which reflects concern about future resilience for the sector. Aging infrastructure is identified as the most critical issue, alongside difficulties securing sustainable funding and ensuring reliable long‑term water supplies. Many utilities are struggling to recover rising costs through rates and fees, leading to financial gaps that are then worsened by external pressures such as economic uncertainty, political factors, supply chain disruptions, and natural hazards.
Water quality concerns are also intensifying, particularly due to emerging contaminants like PFAS, microplastics, and pharmaceuticals, which are increasing treatment complexity and costs. At the same time, utilities are investing in infrastructure upgrades, regulatory compliance, cybersecurity, and workforce development, all of which strain already tight budgets. While some utilities are exploring new technologies such as artificial intelligence, they remain cautious due to risks. Additionally, water supply reliability remains uncertain, with many systems operating near stress limits and lagging in climate adaptation planning.
Overall, the report emphasizes that addressing these interconnected challenges will require strategic investment, innovation, and forward‑looking planning. It underscores the importance of strengthening infrastructure, improving financial sustainability, adopting technology responsibly, and building resilience against climate and economic uncertainty to ensure safe and reliable water services in the future. |
| Read the Report |
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Featured Video |
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Water Infrastructure is Economic Infrastructure | World Water Day at Reservoir Center
waterloop
"Water leaders gathered at the Reservoir Center along the Anacostia River for World Water Day to discuss how water is increasingly shaping conversations around economic growth, AI, infrastructure, agriculture, and resilience. The opening session brought together voices from engineering, policy, technology, infrastructure advocacy, and government as water issues move closer to the center of national decision-making...The opening session reflected a growing recognition that water is no longer viewed only as an environmental or utility issue. From AI and economic development to agriculture and resilience, speakers repeatedly pointed to water as a defining factor in how communities and industries plan for the future."
Topics covered in this video:
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Welcome & The Purpose of World Water Day
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Why Water Is Connected to Climate, Energy, Equity & Economic Growth
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America’s Water Infrastructure Crisis & The Economic Cost of Inaction
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Water Infrastructure as Economic Infrastructure
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Building a More Water Secure World Through Partnership & Innovation
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Rural Water Challenges, Infrastructure Funding & Bipartisan Water Policy
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AI Growth, Water Infrastructure Funding & Technology Modernization
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Water Partnerships, Agriculture & Conservation Solutions
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Research, Innovation & Collaboration Between Engineering and Agriculture
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Closing Remarks & Call for Water Sector Advocacy
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Applying for State Revolving-loan Fund: a Cloverport Case Study
June 4, 2026 | 1:00 PM ET
Rural Community Assistance Partnership
This free training will enable participants to Identify project eligibility criteria, application requirements, and methods to support a State Revolving-Loan Fund (SRF) application. We will examine these crucial project steps via a case study of Cloverport, Kentucky, a rural community with aging infrastructure and urgent wastewater needs. And although every state has unique requirements for their SRF programs, participants will leave with a greater knowledge of framework for project application support that may be used flexibly across differing needs.
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Cybersecurity 103 Training for Water Systems
June 10, 2026 | 1:00 PM ET
U.S Environmental Protection Agency
This free training builds upon EPA’s Cybersecurity 102 Training for Water Systems, providing further details on cybersecurity threats facing the water sector. Participants will learn about state-sponsored threats, risks to Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, malware, and vulnerabilities within Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs). The course also highlights real-world cybersecurity incidents impacting water systems, emphasizes the importance of staying informed on emerging threats, and outlines incident reporting processes and available cybersecurity resources to support preparedness and resilience.
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Cybersecurity Refresher Training for Water Systems
June 17, 2026 | 1:00 PM ET
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
This free refresher training to water and wastewater utilities will reinforce their foundational understanding of cybersecurity and how it applies to the water sector. This training will cover topics from Cybersecurity 101, Cybersecurity 102, and Cybersecurity 103 trainings. |
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Recent Blog Posts at WaterOperator.org |
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Essential Safety Resources for Wastewater Operators
Read Here » |
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Preparing for LCRI Compliance: Key Insights from NRWA
Read Here » |
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Community Engagement Resources for Wastewater Utilities
Read Here » |
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Groundwater & Well Care for Public Water Systems is a free online course from WaterOperator.org. Certificates are provided and the course is currently pre-approved for 2 hours continuing education credit in a number of states.
Click here to learn more. |
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