Water Tech

The city has improved customer service and billing for its water and sewer customers, in part through new customer service software and a policy alerting residents to issues with bills.

A sewer district in Ohio is using rain gauge data, coupled with radar and other inputs, to better understand how rain events will impact its service area. The goal is to inform residents about extreme weather.

Commissioners approved using the money to buy the meters earlier this month. The devices, which collect near real-time data, will join 7,500 smart meters already in operation as Edison neighborhood lines are replaced.

The state is broadening a cybersecurity vulnerability assessment program to include water and wastewater utilities. Officials aim to do at least 342 tailored security examinations by 2026 to help local governments.

The company, best known for its budgeting, planning and procurement tools, has teamed with pipeline inspection firm ITpipes. The deal is a result of an OpenGov gov tech acquisition in 2022.

The City Council has approved buying software and equipment to underpin an online portal capable of tracking water use daily or hourly. It could help residents who use it spot leaks and call out emergencies.

Statewide cybersecurity initiatives, like whole-of-state programs, are offering essential support to smaller communities and agencies. Backed by federal funding, they aim to bridge resource gaps and strengthen defenses against cyber threats.

The project, which is called UnDisruptable27, wants society to prepare for near-future geopolitical conflicts in which cyber attacks are aimed at Americans’ access to water, medical care, power and food.

A new tool from Rebuild by Design shows climate change is an equal opportunity hazard. But spending money ahead of time on mitigation and prevention can be more cost-effective than committing it after disaster strikes.

The Center for Internet Security’s Cybersecurity Advisory Services Program is aimed at helping strengthen organizations that are involved in elections, health care, education and water utilities.

The state Legislature has set aside $250,000 this year to study underground water levels and ensure they don’t run dry amid increased demand from data centers and a multiyear drought.

The Environmental Protection Agency has warned against hackers affiliated with Iran and China who could sabotage drinking and wastewater resources — attacks it said are increasing in severity and frequency.

California water regulators have approved rules that will allow local water agencies to recycle wastewater directly into tap water after extra cleaning. Los Angeles and San Diego are among the communities exploring the concept.

The nation's first all-electric tugboat will soon move ships around the Port of San Diego. The 82-foot vessel, called the eWolf, will be powered by a 6.2 megawatt-hour main propulsion battery and two electric motors.

For state and local government agencies across the U.S., GIS technology has the power to inform decision-making, impact funding and improve the constituent experience through various applications.

Officials say the group, called Volt Typhoon, has inserted malware deep in the systems of numerous water and electric utilities that serve military installations in the United States and abroad.

Klir, which sells a water management and compliance platform, has launched a ChatGPT feature for utilities. The idea is to hand off tedious and data-heavy tasks to artificial intelligence while safeguarding data.

The challenges of defending water infrastructure are numerous. Many of the systems in California – and nationwide – are still operating with outdated software, poor passwords and other weaknesses that could leave them at risk.