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Over the last weekend of April multiple cyber attacks were initiated on Israeli Water Authority facilities. Upon detection, the Authority's cyber-division ordered facilities to immediately change passwords, reduce internet connectivity, and check that software was up-to-date on controllers. An emphasis was placed on protecting operational and chlorine control systems. Effective communication and swift emergency response protected these facilities and the communities they serve.
While incidents like these might seem far from home, especially for small systems, any utility that is connected to the internet experiences some level of cyber risk. Attacks like the one in Israel are a reminder to all utilities to prepare for the unexpected. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) lists the Water and Wastewater Sector as one of the main targets for cyber attacks among the sixteen lifeline infrastructures.
A 2019 study conducted by the EWRI Task Committee on Cyber-physical Security of Water Distribution Systems can help utility staff to better understand and implement cyber safety measures, in particular for those using SCADA systems. After providing a review of industrial control system terminology, structures, and weaknesses, the publication reviews the situation, response/recovery, and lessons learned from 15 malicious cybersecurity incidents at utilities throughout the world and within the U.S. These stories will help utilities better predict and prepare for incidents of their own. To assist in this process, readers will learn about utility attack and defense models.
As utilities update cybersecurity defenses and best practices, consider using our blog post Data Protection and Cybersecurity for Small and Medium Systems to supplement your efforts! Additional cybersecurity resources for water systems can be found in our document library.
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Managing COVID-19 with Wastewater Sampling
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 During the onset of the coronavirus, doctors identified SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA in stool samples of some infected patients. Though no known cases have originated from exposure to sewage, OSHA notes that wastewater staff should maintain standard safety practices and continued use of personal protective equipment to safeguard against potential transmission. Viral inactivation should occur with existing wastewater treatment practices, in particular disinfection.
While the presence of viral RNA in sewage might unsettle some wastewater operators, new opportunities to manage the virus have originated from this discovery. Ongoing research has been working to use untreated sewage to track the spread of COVID-19. Given the limitations to COVID-19 testing, over a dozen research groups across the world are working on a method to estimate the total number of community infections through wastewater samples. This could allow patients without obvious symptoms to be included in the count as early as three days after infection. Perhaps even more significant, if the virus returns later in the year, wastewater surveillance could be an early warning sign for communities to take action.
One study by a laboratory at MIT has already moved to test these concepts. After sampling an urban treatment facility in Massachusetts for one week, results estimated over 100,000 cases greater than expected. More work will be needed to validate these results. For rural communities with more limited access to specialized laboratories, another research group is working on developing an affordable, paper-based test. With any lucky, these tests will be able to better manage the pandemic demonstrating a new way wastewater systems are so valuable to our communities.
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It's Drinking Water Week!
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 Access to reliable, safe drinking water has never been more important than under times like these. As your water utility continues to overcome old and new circumstances that challenge the ability to supply potable water, take a moment to be proud of the work that you do. WaterOperator.org wants to thank the hard working men and women dedicated to supplying safe drinking water to their communities!
Celebrate Drinking Water Week with your community using the promotional materials supplied by the American Water Works Association here.
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Free Access to WEF Technical Materials Until June 30
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 The Water Environment Federation has created a temporary, free e-WEF membership to provide first-time WEF members with access to a broad range of technical materials through June 30th. The e-WEF membership provides access to:
- A digital edition of the Water Environment & Technology magazine
- Water Environment Research, WEF’s peer-reviewed research journal
- Members-only materials and pricing available on Access Water
- Daily digests of sector-specific news through WEF SmartBrief
- A range of upcoming and archived WEF webcasts
- Up to 20% off the regular price of published technical manuals, online courses, and other educational opportunities available in the WEF Knowledge Center.
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 How to Support Water System Partnerships:
Water System Partnerships Handbook
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
This download contains a partnership guide as well as an assessment form labeled "Determine How Partnerships Could Improve Compliance". The latter will help systems assess potential partnership benefits. In conjunction with this form, the handbook will help systems understand partnership options, feasibility, and implementation plans.
Trending in an Instant: A Risk Communication Guide for Water Utilities
American Water Works Association
This guide offers tools and action steps utilities can use to respond effectively before, during, and after a communication issue in the community. Utilities will learn to understand the psychology and behavior of customer reactions to media driven fears.
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Have a different question?
You can find thousands of helpful resources in our database.
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 Thinking Bigger with Asset Management: There's Room for Source Water Protection
Thursday, May 14, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Hosted by Association of State Drinking Water Administrators
This free webinar will teach water programs, utilities, and technical assistance providers about the benefits of including source water protection plans in a utility asset management program.
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Want to find additional training opportunities for operators,
including events in your area?
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Posts from WaterOperator.org
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ISAWWA COVID-19 Utility Impact Survey
A report by the Illinois Section of the American Water Works Association highlights operational, managerial, and financial changes implemented in response to the COVID-19 as well as system concerns and needs moving forward. In this post, utilities will learn about the survey findings including how system size impacts pandemic response.
Challenges Developing an Asset Management Program
In 2017 the Michigan Water Environment Association and Michigan Section American Water Works Association hosted a roundtable seminar to discuss challenges faced during asset management program development. In this post we highlight these challenges to prepare utilities for the development of their own programs.
RCAP Advocacy and Policy Update: COVID-19 Response
The Rural Community Assistance Partnership remains active promoting the needs of rural water systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. In our latest blog post RCAP's Ted Stiger offers an update on enacted legislation related to the pandemic.
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 Let's Get Rural Y'All
Water in Real Life with the H2Duo
In this episode of Water in Real Life, the H2Duo interviews Nathan Ohle, Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP). The interview discusses the significance of rural systems in supplying safe drinking water to communities throughout the country noting how RCAP helps these systems to build the capacity to do so. Nathan goes on to highlight the importance of story telling and communication in bringing interest, awareness, and a new workforce to rural communities and their utilities. Rural Homecoming, a partnership project between the LOR Foundation and RCAP assists with these efforts.
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Featured Video: Main Sewer Line After 10' Root Intrusion
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Attracted to the moisture and nutrients from sewage, roots can often find their way into sewer pipes and joints. Nutrients continue to feed these roots creating the potential for backups and pipe damage. This weeks video features a camera inspection that moves through a sewer line after having already been treated for a root induced backup. The technician describes notable features of the pipe that were caused by the root ball.
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Move through this sewer line inspection after being freshly treated for root intrusion.
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 According to the U.S. EPA, anywhere between 23,000 to 75,000 sanitary sewer overflows occur in the United State every year. This does not include sewage backups into buildings or homes.
Source.
'Share This' offers useful or interesting information that can be shared with the public and other stakeholders.
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EPA and Army Publish Final WOTUS Rule
The final "Navigable Waters Protection Rule" defining the Waters of the United States will become effective on June 22, 2020.
NRWA Conducts Rapid Needs Assessment of Critical Impacts of COVID-19
A national survey estimates that small and rural utilities will lose approximately $998 million of unrecoverable revenue by mid-July.
University of Minnesota Tests Whether Coronavirus is Moving into Drinking Water
Research scientists at the University of Minnesota aim to test whether leaks from septic systems and sewers are transporting SARS-CoV-2 into groundwater.
Water Week 2020 Goes Virtual
The water industry continues to work with Congress on stimulus relief from the coronavirus pandemic.
Coronavirus Halts Service Authority's Capital Projects Spending
All capital projects under the Nelson County Service Authority in Virginia have been postponed as as result of COVID-19. The Authority will now face future challenges to meet compliance while not spending any additional money.
West Alexandria Council Passes Water, Sewer Rate Hikes
After requesting a study from the Great Lakes Community Action Partnership, the village of West Alexandria voted to increase water and sewer rates to address community growth and future operations and maintenance costs.
City Seeking Funding for Wastewater Improvements
The small city of Huntingburg, IN aims to upgrade their wastewater treatment plant through USDA Rural Development funding to improve safety and increase capacity.
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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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 WaterOperator.org is a free service, grant-funded to support small community water and wastewater operators with comprehensive resources and information in one easy-to-use place. We also serve the 800+ training, primacy, and technical service organizations, by helping operators get to their information. We aren't buying, selling, or advertising anything. You can call us at 1-866-522-2681 if you need assistance. |
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