Resiliency

1. Water System Attacks Prompt Call For Stronger Cybersecurity Standards 8/6/2026

   Recent cyberattacks targeting more than 30 Minnesota community water systems have renewed scrutiny of cybersecurity preparedness across the water sector and intensified calls for stronger federal oversight and standards.

2. World Cup 2026: A Stress Test For U.S. Water Utilities 6/10/2026
   As the FIFA World Cup kicks off across the U.S. this summer, most attention will be on transportation, security, and stadium readiness. But the bigger strain will be less visible: water and wastewater systems.
3. What Is The Future Of Source Water Protection? 4/28/2026
   Water utility managers and municipal leaders have long struggled amid the convergence of several threats to public water supplies. During a recent Water Online Live event, I sat with a panel of industry experts to examine the transition from reactive crisis management to a proactive, adaptive resilience framework.
4. 2026 Water Utility Outlook: Regulation, AI, And Resilience In The Face Of Scarcity 11/12/2025
   Global Water Outcomes expert notes that “water utilities are facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities,” citing the role of digital solutions moving forward.
5. Securing Smart Water 9/5/2025

   The digital transformation of utilities is necessary and inevitable but also innately vulnerable to bad actors. It's time to discuss prioritizing cybersecurity.

6. Cybersecurity For The Win: How Water Utilities Can Embrace Digital Technology 3/6/2025

   Water and wastewater system operators are known to be a careful lot. Tightly regulated by the U.S. EPA and state agencies — and committed to public health — they cannot afford mistakes. This often results in "tried-and-true" methodologies winning out over innovative solutions, but the incredible upside offered by digital technologies has encouraged a wave of cyber adoption. Almost cruelly, it comes with cyber threats.

7. Understanding Urban Resilience And The Role Of Smart Water Networks 8/20/2024

   As cities grow and face environmental challenges, the concept of urban resilience becomes increasingly important. A recent study discusses the theoretical framework needed to build a smart water network that can enhance the resiliency of urban environments. It also reveals the critical technologies, including advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), that are key to pulling it all together.

8. Testing The (Storm)Waters 3/7/2024
   Heavy rains in California prove the worthiness of the "sponge city" concept.
9. Free Will And Cybersecurity 11/3/2023
   Even with federal regulations mandating action for municipal water and wastewater systems unfinished, the commitment to protect the public should compel utilities to improve cybersecurity.
10. Racing Towards Sustainability 9/8/2023

    As water and wastewater utilities come to grips with decarbonization, many have set ambitious targets to achieve greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals. To evaluate progress across the industry, global water technology company Xylem commissioned a survey of 100 utilities. I spoke with Austin Alexander, Xylem's VP of Sustainability and Social Impact, to break down the results and key trends driving a greener water industry.