Statement from NAWC President and CEO Robert F. Powelson:

“Critical infrastructure is squarely in the sights of international threat actors seeking to disrupt essential services with the water sector as a prime target.

Cybersecurity preparedness across the nation’s water and wastewater systems varies widely. While more than 90% of National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) members have comprehensive cybersecurity plans in place, many utilities lack even basic protections. The absence of uniform cybersecurity standards leaves too many systems vulnerable as we are seeing play out in real time.

NAWC continues to urge Congress to pass bipartisan legislation to authorize a Water Risk and Resilience Organization to advise the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on developing, implementing, and enforcing cybersecurity requirements tailored to the evolving and ongoing threats facing drinking water and wastewater systems.

Protecting these systems is essential to public health, economic stability, and national security. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, Congress and the federal government must act to strengthen cybersecurity across the entire water and wastewater sector and safeguard the communities that depend on it.”

ABOUT NAWC

National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) member companies safeguard public health and promote environmental stewardship as they serve the water and wastewater needs of millions of Americans every day. NAWC members have an exceptional record of compliance with federal and state health and environmental regulations. Ensuring this high standard of quality requires extraordinary amounts of capital investment. The nation’s largest regulated, private water companies collectively invest nearly $6.8 billion annually to ensure their water infrastructure is well maintained and that safe and clean drinking water is available whenever needed. Learn more about NAWC and the companies we proudly represent at www.nawc.org or follow on Facebook, X and LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260805822060/en/

"As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, Congress and the federal government must act to strengthen cybersecurity across the entire water and wastewater sector and safeguard the communities that depend on it."