The Bureau of Reclamation's Drought Response Program

The Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Drought Response Program helps communities take a proactive approach to drought by funding projects that strengthen long-term water resilience. The program supports a wide range of efforts, including infrastructure improvements to increase storage and distribution capacity, diversification of water supplies, development of management tools, and comprehensive drought planning.

A key component of the program is support for drought contingency planning, which helps water systems better understand and prepare for future drought conditions. These planning efforts guide communities through identifying early warning signs of drought, assessing hydrologic risks and uncertainties, evaluating potential impacts, and determining actions to reduce vulnerability. The process is designed to be collaborative and inclusive, bringing together municipal, agricultural, environmental, and other stakeholders to develop practical, locally driven solutions.

The program also funds drought resiliency projects that implement these plans through on-the-ground improvements. Eligible projects include infrastructure upgrades such as new conveyance systems, expanded storage, and modified intake structures, as well as the development of decision-support tools like drought forecasting systems and enhanced water monitoring equipment. In addition, under separate authorities, emergency response actions may be supported during acute drought events, including temporary water supply solutions and short-term construction activities to reduce immediate impacts.

In addition to long-term resiliency projects, the program can also fund short-term emergency response actions for unexpected drought conditions. Currently, a funding opportunity is open through July 28, 2026, offering support for both drought contingency planning and on-the-ground resilience projects, as part of ongoing federal investments to help water systems better prepare for and respond to drought challenges.

Resources:

• Drought Response Program Fact Sheet
• Drought Response Program Framework
• Drought Resiliency Projects vs. Small Storage Program

For More Information: 

• For additional information on the Drought Response Program, please contact Ms. Shelbie Neff at sneff@usbr.gov
• If you have questions regarding applicant and project eligibility or the evaluation criteria, click here and submit an inquiry request for the appropriate program
• You may complete this form to receive WaterSMART program notification from the Bureau of Reclamation

AWWA's 2026 State of the Water Industry Report

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 Executive Summary of the Report.

Download and View the Full Report.

EPA Launches PFAS OUT Initiative

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the launch of the PFAS OUTreach (PFAS OUT) Initiative on April 14, 2026, aimed at proactively reducing exposure to the PFAS chemicals PFOA and PFOS in drinking water well before federal compliance deadlines. Led by EPA’s Office of Water, the initiative represents a shift toward early, hands-on engagement with water systems, states, and local partners to address contamination using science‑based solutions. EPA leadership emphasized that the health impacts of these chemicals are well understood, and PFAS OUT is intended to help communities act now rather than waiting for regulatory enforcement.

PFAS OUT focuses on providing targeted outreach, funding guidance, and technical assistance, especially for small, rural, and disadvantaged water systems that often lack resources to manage complex contamination issues. EPA plans to directly engage roughly 3,000 drinking water systems nationwide with known PFOA and PFOS challenges and will make webinars, location‑specific tools, and technical support broadly available through programs like RealWaterTA. 

The initiative aligns with broader EPA efforts announced earlier in April 2026 to address emerging drinking water contaminants including PFAS, microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and disinfection byproducts which reinforces the agency’s goal of ensuring safe and reliable drinking water for all communities. 

Learn more about PFAS OUT.

Cybersecurity Risks Rising for Water Utilities

In early March 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the following alert to ensure water system owners and operators take necessary steps to strengthen their utility's cybersecurity measures in light of activities in the middle east:

"Iranian government–affiliated and aligned cyber actors have previously demonstrated the ability to exploit internet‑exposed operational technology devices at U.S. water and wastewater systems, in some cases forcing temporary reversion to manual operations and causing operational impacts. EPA urges utilities to adopt a heightened security posture and promptly report suspicious activity to CISA and the FBI.

Mitigations

All drinking water and wastewater systems are strongly encouraged to implement the following mitigations immediately to enhance resilience against low-level cyberattacks:

• Reduce Operational Technology Exposure to the Public-Facing Internet 

• Replace All Default Passwords on Operational Technology Devices with Strong, Unique Passwords 

• Implement Multifactor Authentication for Remote Access to Operational Technology Devices 

Systems that outsource technology support may need to consult with their service providers for assistance with these mitigations. 

In addition to these immediate actions, drinking water and wastewater systems are encouraged to adopt the actions outlined in the CISA, EPA, and FBI Top Cyber Actions for Securing Water Systems Fact Sheet to further reduce cyber risk and improve resilience against malicious cyber activity.

If you have questions about any of the information in this alert, including assistance with the mitigation steps, submit a request to EPA’s Cybersecurity Technical Assistance Program for the Water Sector. Organizations are encouraged to report information concerning suspicious or criminal activity to FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at IC3.gov or to CISA via CISA’s Incident Reporting System."

Additionally, a new WaterISAC report breaks down the repeatable tactics these actors use to gain access, stay hidden, and cause disruption. This is often accomplished by exploiting weak credentials, using phishing emails, and taking advantage of unpatched systems rather than through sophisticated malware.

The report highlights how attackers increasingly abuse legitimate tools, cloud services, and trusted access to blend into normal operations, with a growing emphasis on identity based attacks and large scale disruptive campaigns. It also outlines practical, utility focused mitigations aligned with WaterISAC’s 12 Fundamentals to help organizations reduce risk right now.

Read the full report for a deeper look at real world tactics, recent incidents, and clear steps utilities can take to strengthen their defenses.

Want to turn these insights into practical knowledge you can use right away? We’ve got an easy place to start! 

Brush up on your cybersecurity knowledge, with our free, self-paced cybersecurity course.

In just one hour, course participants will learn about water sector threats, basic cybersecurity measures, incident response, system resilience, and valuable resources, with the goal of fostering a culture of cybersecurity within their organizations. 

Regardless of the size of the water system, this course empowers everyone, from field workers to office staff, to contribute to maintaining a reliable and resilient water system.

This course was developed with MassDEP funding through a partnership with UMass. The course content was created by Andrew Hildick-Smith. Please note that Massachusetts operators should take this version of the course.

All students will receive a 1-hour class certificate for their participation.

Idaho and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe reach historic water rights agreement

The Coeur d’Alene Tribe and the state of Idaho have finalized a historic water rights settlement, ending decades of litigation and resolving more than a century of uncertainty dating back to the creation of the reservation in 1873. Tribal Chairman Chief Allan and Governor Brad Little celebrated the agreement as a major step toward protecting Coeur d’Alene Lake and ensuring long-term water reliability. The settlement concludes complex adjudication efforts that began in 2008 and affirms that the tribe holds senior federal reserved water rights (some with priority dates reaching back to “time immemorial”).

The agreement was shaped through extensive negotiations involving the tribe, the federal government, and more than 300 regional stakeholders, including local governments, property owners, and major employers. Under the settlement, the tribe recognizes and protects all existing state‑based water rights dated on or before September 6, 2023, while the state secures room for future growth and protection of most existing water allocations. In exchange, the tribe receives judicially defined quantities of water under its reserved rights and retains authority to manage water resources within the reservation, including establishing a tribal water supply bank.

This settlement brings long‑awaited certainty to water users across North Idaho and sets the stage for collaborative resource management. While the state provides no direct funding to the tribe, the agreement includes state support for federal legislation that could bring up to $500 million in water infrastructure investments. Leaders on both sides emphasized that the agreement not only protects tribal homelands but also benefits the broader community. A sentiment that is underscored by the late tribal leader Felix Aripa’s words: “Water is life for all of us.”

In the News: Idaho reaches historic water rights agreement with the Coeur d'Alene Tribe | KREM

RRA & ERP Compliance for Systems Serving More Than 3,300 People

As compliance deadlines approach, now is a great time to review America's Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) section 2013 to ensure your system is on track. AWIA requires all community water systems serving more than 3,300 people to complete a certified Risk and Resilience Assessment (RRA) and update their Emergency Response Plan (ERP) within the established five‑year cycle. To assist with this, U.S. EPA continues to offer tools, templates, and technical assistance to help systems strengthen physical security, cybersecurity, and overall resilience.

Below is a reminder of the upcoming deadlines to help you stay in compliance and plan ahead:

Risk and Resilience Assessments (RRA)

• Due by June 30, 2026

Emergency Response Plans (ERP)

• Due six months after your RRA submission

If you have already submitted or certified completion of your plans, no further action is needed at this time. 

Further Resources: 

• AWIA Section 2013/SDWA Section 1433: Risk and Resilience Assessments and Emergency Response Plans Main Page | U.S. EPA
• Small System Risk and Resilience Assessment Checklist | U.S. EPA
• Develop or Update an Emergency Response Plan | U.S. EPA

NOTE: Systems that serve less than 3,301 people are not required to certify the completion of these plans to U.S. EPA but are encouraged to conduct RRAs and ERPs in order to prepare for potential risks or emergencies.

Preparing for LCRI Compliance: Key Insights from NRWA

The National Rural Water Association (NRWA) has published an incredibly useful resource to help water systems navigate the upcoming Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) compliance requirements. With the November 1, 2027 deadline approaching, this article provides clear guidance on what utilities need to do now to stay ahead. It breaks down the complex requirements into actionable steps, helping to ensure compliance and avoid costly penalties to your utility.

Highlights from the article:

• Regulatory Timeline: Current LCRR requirements remain in effect until 2027, when LCRI submissions are due.
• Service Line Inventory: Systems must update and verify inventories, including connectors and unknown lines.
• Annual Notices: Required for locations with lead service lines, galvanized requiring replacement, or unknown materials.
• Verification Requirements: New rules call for visual validation of non-lead lines and approved methods for confirming materials.
• Compliance Risks: Unknown lines in the 2027 baseline inventory trigger additional obligations like sampling and replacement plans.
• Data Management: Digital tools are strongly recommended to handle the data-intensive nature of LCRI compliance.

Registration for VirCon 2026 is Open!

Our team at WaterOperator.org is excited to announce next year's Virtual Operator Conference! Over three days (February 3-5, 2026) participants can earn up to 12 continuing education hours applicable to their drinking water operator license renewal. We are seeking approval in all relevant operator certification jurisdictions, with the most current updates listed on the event registration page.

This free, virtual training conference offers drinking water operators a chance to learn more about timely topics, improve fundamental skills, and get support for specific challenges while earning up to 12 hours of CEU credit. Below is a list of each course that will be offered to participants of VirCon 2026:

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

• The History of Water Regulations
• Small System Water Treatment
• Fundamentals of Drinking Water Distribution
• Disinfection Byproducts

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

• Asset Management Plans
• Asset Management Framework: Five Core Questions
• Asset Management that Water Operators Use
• Hydrant Assessments for Asset Management

Thursday, February 5, 2026

• GIS and Water System Maintenance
• Digital Transformation for Operations & Maintenance Task using GIS
• Corrosion Control and Cathodic Protection
• Drones

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly critical for water and wastewater utilities as digital connectivity becomes more common. Now that more systems are linked than ever before, the threat of cyberattacks continues to grow. Staying informed and proactive is key so we’ve gathered a collection of resources designed to strengthen your cybersecurity awareness.

The list below includes guidance from U.S. EPA and CISA, training recordings, and tools to help utilities assess and improve their cybersecurity knowledge. Explore these links to strengthen your utility’s defenses and ensure the continued safety and reliability of our water systems.

Further Resources...

• Cybersecurity Trivia (docx) | U.S. EPA
• Spot The Phishing Email Test (docx) | U.S. EPA
• Is Your Utility Cyber Aware? | U.S. EPA
• Cybersecurity Assessments | U.S. EPA
• Incident Response Training | CISA
• Cybersecurity 101 Training for Water Systems Webinar Recording | U.S. EPA
• Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2023 Webinar Series | CISA
• Cyber Incident Reporting Factsheet | U.S. EPA
  • Report Cybersecurity Incident Here | CISA
• Sign Up for EPA Water Sector Alerts Here | U.S. EPA
• Basic Cybersecurity Measures for Water and Wastewater Systems in Massachusetts -Virtual Course | WaterOperator.org, MassDEP

Throughout October, EPA will host webinars to share sector-specific data and trends, providing tools, best practices, and training opportunities for water utilities, system operators, IT professionals, and local leaders.

Get Ready for the 13th Annual SepticSmart Week!

What are you planning to do for this year's SepticSmart Week? This is the perfect time for communities, national organizations, local groups, and governments to come together and bring attention to the importance of caring for and maintaining septic systems through homeowner education and public outreach. 

Now is the time to start planning if you haven't already! You can peruse the SepticSmart Week page at the EPA at your own pace or check out these particular (free!) resources we recommend for reaching and educating homeowners:

• SepticSmart Education Materials — EPA Toolkit
• SepticSmart Quick Tip Videos
• Do's and Don'ts of Your Septic System — Flier
• Do Your Part — Infographic
• Homeowner Training Materials — NOWRA Learning Module

We would also recommend everyone to encourage their local government leaders to sign an official SepticSmart Week Proclamation. You can find links to different proclamation templates for governors, mayors, and tribal/community leaders at the EPA webpage!

If you're interested in learning more information about septic systems, check out our sister site, DecentralizedWastewater.org! Our blog is full of resources that focus on the importance of caring for and maintaining septic systems. Check out last year's blog post all about how to prepare for SepticSmart Week!