If you are looking for our upcoming Mission Mondays, you can find them on our calendar or checkout the archived webinars.

Iran-affiliated advanced persistent threat (APT) actors are conducting exploitation 
activity targeting internet-facing operational technology (OT) devices, including 
programmable logic controllers (PLCs) manufactured by Rockwell Automation/Allen-Bradley.

This activity has led to PLC disruptions across several U.S. critical infrastructure sectors through malicious interactions with the project file and manipulation of data on human machine interface (HMI) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) displays, resulting in operational disruption and financial loss. 

U.S. organizations should urgently review the tactics, techniques, and procedures 
(TTPs) and indicators of compromise (IOCs) in this advisory for indications of 
current or historical activity on their networks, and apply the recommendations 
listed in the Mitigations section of this advisory to reduce the risk of compromise.

READ MORE HERE

For more information, click HERE

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of $30 million in grant funding, as part of the agency’s RealWaterTA Initiative. This newly available funding supports technical assistance and training to benefit small drinking water and wastewater systems and to help private well owners improve drinking water quality. RealWaterTA funding helps connect small and rural drinking water and wastewater systems with tried-and-true services, such as engineering and design expertise, operational support, workforce development, and financial management. This funding will benefit Americans nationwide, especially in rural areas where small systems face challenges operating and maintaining vital water infrastructure. 

Learn more HERE

The ISAWWA Board of Trustees and Executive Search Task Force have officially launched the search for the Section's next Executive Director, and we want to keep you informed as the process moves forward.

We are looking for a relationship builder and servant leader—someone who is member-focused, collaborative, transparent, and deeply invested in the people who make this Section work. Our next Executive Director will understand that ISAWWA is a volunteer-driven association and that the ED's most important work is empowering volunteers and staff to do theirs.

The role will be based at our Naperville office, reporting to the Board of Trustees., Top priorities for the incoming ED include executing our 2025–2028 strategic plan, growing and retaining membership across Illinois' geographically diverse districts, deepening volunteer engagement, delivering WATERCON and our signature events at a consistently high standard, and supporting workforce development and next-generation pipeline efforts.

We are partnering with Brewer Pratt Solutions, LLC (BPS) to lead the search. If you know someone who would be a strong fit—or if you are that someone—please encourage them to reach out to BPS directly at elisa@brewerprattsolutions.com for the full position description. Referrals from our own membership are among the most valuable sources of candidates in any association search, and we are counting on you to help us spread the word.

We will share updates as the search progresses. The future of ISAWWA depends on finding the right leader for this moment, and we are grateful for your partnership in that effort.

Chair – Michele Piotrowski

Chair-Elect – Andrea Cheng

Vice Chair – Joe Hogan

Past Chair - Todd LaFountain

Secretary/Treasurer – Hanting Wang

Young Professional Trustee at Large – Jeniece Neville

AWWA Director – Randy Lusk (term starts in June 2026)

Trustee-at-Large - Todd Schaefer

District 1 Trustee - Seth Gronewold

District 2A Trustee – Carlos Covarrubias

District 2B Trustee – Brett Fritzler

District 2C Trustee - Darrell Blenniss

District 2D Trustee - David Vavrek

District 3 Trustee – Ben Spreen

District 4 Trustee – Rachel Bretz

District 5 Trustee – John Burkhart

To view the safety notice, click here. If you need additional resources or support on rail safety education, please contact:

Aisha K. Jackson

Rail Safety Specialist Education & Outreach

Illinois Commerce Commission-Rail Safety

773-762-9535

Read more HERE

The State of Illinois issued the following press release on Thursday, January 22:

State of Illinois Urges Readiness Ahead of Major Weekend Winter Storm and Extreme Cold

SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) are advising residents to prepare for a multi-wave winter storm and dangerously low temperatures expected to impact the state starting Friday, January 23 through Sunday, with Southern Illinois expected to be the most heavily impacted by significant snow accumulations.

 A major weather system is expected to bring extreme cold across most of Illinois this weekend, alongside two rounds of heavy snow in the southern region. Simultaneously, northern and central Illinois face an Extreme Cold Warning, with wind chills forecasted to plumet as low as -34°F. These conditions pose a significant risk for frostbite, hypothermia, and infrastructure disruptions.

 “We are preparing for extreme weather conditions statewide and urging all Illinoisians to take precautions throughout the weekend to stay safe and warm,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “As we brace for freezing temperatures across the state and heavy snow in Southern Illinois, I have directed IEMA-OHS to deploy resources to ensure local authorities have the support they need to keep roads clear and residents safe. I encourage everyone to avoid any unnecessary travel, follow safety recommendations, and visit Ready.Illinois.Gov for winter storm updates.”

 Regional Breakdown of Impacts

• Central Illinois: 2–6 inches of snow expected over a 36-hour period, with dangerously low wind chills.

• Southern Illinois (Heaviest Impact): 6–12 inches of accumulating snow expected through Sunday evening. Wind chills as low as -16°F will accompany the snow, creating a risk of frostbite and hypothermia.

• Northern Illinois: Facing life-threatening extreme cold with wind chills as low as -34°F through Saturday morning. 

 “Illinois weather can shift at any moment, and the best time to prepare for this weekend’s unpredictable conditions is right now,” said IEMA-OHS Acting Director Theodore “Ted” Berger. “We are tracking two distinct waves of snow and extreme wind chills that will make travel hazardous. If you must be outdoors, dress in layers and limit your exposure. Our teams are in constant contact with local emergency managers to coordinate a swift response for any weather-related disruptions.”

 Safety Recommendations for Residents

IEMA-OHS recommends the following actions to stay safe during this event:

• Travel Safety: Avoid travel during peak snow hours. If you must drive, keep a winter emergency kit in your vehicle, including blankets, a flashlight, and water.

• Home Care: Insulate exposed pipes and ensure you have a three-day supply of food and medication.

• Personal Health: Cover all exposed skin when outdoors to prevent frostbite, which can occur in minutes at -34°F.

• Check on Others: Reach out to elderly neighbors or those with disabilities who may need assistance with heating or snow removal.

 If you or someone you know needs a warm place to stay, please visit the Illinois Warming Center Dashboard immediately. Comprehensive winter weather guidance is available at Ready.Illinois.gov.

These grants support hands-on projects that help people better understand environmental challenges in their own communities and take practical steps to address them. Funded projects will focus on environmental education efforts that use modern tools, including artificial intelligence, to help identify problems early, monitor water quality, and prevent future water contamination before it affects families and neighborhoods. Funded projects will also provide participants the skills necessary to make informed decisions to take responsible actions toward environment stewardship. 

Applications are due on March 3, 2026.   

Interested in learning more? 

• Review EE Grants Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) 
• Visit the Environmental Education Grant homepage

This joint Cybersecurity Advisory is being published as an addition to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) May 6, 2025, joint fact sheet Primary Mitigations to Reduce Cyber Threats to Operational Technology and European Cybercrime Centre’s (EC3) Operation Eastwood, in which CISA, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Energy (DOE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and EC3 shared information about cyber incidents affecting the operational technology (OT) and industrial control systems (ICS) of critical infrastructure entities in the United States and globally.

Read more HERE.

More news from EPA HERE.

Any new sewer lateral or other non-metallic piping located outside a private property must have a means of tracing the pipe by means of a tracer wire or other system. 

See highlighted the section 50/9/i from the public act. Read more HERE.

Please review the alert HERE.

AWWA is asking utilities to consider writing letters to their state Representatives regarding HR 1267, The Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act. You can find more information on the bill HERE.

For a letter template, please click HERE.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $6.5 billion in Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) funding available for water systems, with an additional $550 million available to states. Interested entities can apply for this funding through a rolling application process. The agency is also announcing approval of five new WIFIA loans that will invest in critical water infrastructure projects in Texas, Illinois, Oregon, and Florida. EPA’s WIFIA program provides a powerful financial tool that can significantly accelerate investments in water infrastructure to protect human health and the environment while saving communities millions of dollars.  

Read more HERE

“Strengthening cybersecurity for the U.S. water sector is critically important because cyber resilience and water security are key to national security. Water systems across the country are facing cyberattacks that threaten the ability to provide safe water. As part of advancing the Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative, EPA is committed to ensuring every American has access to clean and safe water. Guarding against cyberattacks is central to this mission,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Jess Kramer. 

To better address potential vulnerabilities and ensure all water systems have the best information and emergency safeguards available to maintain protections for drinking water and wastewater treatment operations, EPA has developed the following resources:

• Emergency Response Plan (ERP) Guide for Wastewater Utilities: This updated plan describes strategies, resources, plans, and procedures utilities can use to prepare for and respond to an incident, natural or man-made, that threatens life, property, or the environment.
• Template for Developing an Incident Response Plan: This new template assists drinking water and wastewater systems with developing a Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan (CIRP).
• Incident Action Checklists: EPA is publishing two new checklists, as requested by the water sector, to help drinking water utilities prepare for, respond to, and recover from specific emergencies such as wildfires, power outages, floods, and cybersecurity incidents.
• Cybersecurity Procurement Checklist: This checklist will help water and wastewater utilities incorporate cybersecurity into the procurement process. It will help utilities generally assess the cybersecurity practices of suppliers, including vendors and manufacturers, and their products during procurement.

Cybersecurity for critical infrastructure is a human health and a national security priority. EPA will continue to fulfill its core mission of protecting human health and the environment by working with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, state programs, and water associations to help reduce cyber risks at water systems. The agency will also continue to collaborate with water systems to implement best management practices to swiftly address any cybersecurity concerns as they arise.

Background 
In August, the Trump EPA announced over $9 million in grant funding for midsize and large water systems to help protect drinking water from cybersecurity threats and improve resiliency for extreme weather events. The agency also published a report highlighting 10 recommendations to strengthen resiliency to cyberattacks in the water sector.

Cyberattacks against water systems have increased several-fold in recent years and can disrupt or contaminate drinking water and compromise the treatment of wastewater. EPA, federal partners, and utilities have a collective responsibility to ensure that cyber threats do not imperil the critical lifeline of clean and safe water. Clean and safe water is central to strengthening the American workforce; powering industries — from auto manufacturing to Artificial Intelligence; and advancing energy dominance. In communities, it supports small businesses, hospitals, military bases, and schools.

Learn more about EPA’s water cybersecurity efforts.