National Regulation and Policy Updates

On March 21, the EPA and NSC met virtually with state officials to engage them on the critical nature of protecting water and wastewater infrastructure, including treatment plants, distribution systems, and administrative programs with cybersecurity considerations. “Drinking water and wastewater systems are a lifeline for communities, but many systems have not adopted important cybersecurity practices to thwart potential cyberattacks,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “EPA and NSC take these threats very seriously and will continue to partner with state environmental, health, and homeland security leaders to address the pervasive and challenging risk of cyberattacks on water systems.” State policymakers may consider regulations that require infrastructure owners and/or operators to implement better security measures in the future.

Read the EPA press release here. 

County Judge Sides with Landowners to Protect Water Rights and Drinking Water Supply from Development Pressures

In February, a Broadwater County judge in Montana ruled in support of a small coalition of landowners and water rights holders who challenged a proposed subdivision. The area slated for building is already dealing with sprawl, water supply, and water quality issues, all known by the local and state permitting jurisdictions who greenlit the development

“Montana citizens now have a clear roadmap for holding their local decision-makers and state agencies accountable...and deny subdivisions that do not have adequate water supplies.”

Read the full story here.