The association is pushing for a legislative overhaul that prioritizes cybersecurity training and technical assistance for utilities of all sizes. Central to their proposal is the expansion of existing federal programs to include digital risk mitigation, alongside a collaborative regulatory framework that accounts for the vast operational differences between rural and large-scale water systems.
AWWA Demands Federal Action Following Water Sector Cyberattacks
Following a surge of cyberattacks on water systems across several states, the American Water Works Association has petitioned Congressional leaders to bridge the critical funding gap in utility infrastructure. CEO David LaFrance warned that water providers remain historically under-resourced compared to other sectors, leaving public health and essential services vulnerable.
AWWA has specifically endorsed the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, which would reauthorize infrastructure resilience programs and integrate cybersecurity into workforce development. Beyond these measures, the association is lobbying for the passage of the Water Risk and Resilience Organization Establishment Act to create independent security standards, and the Cybersecurity for Rural Systems Act, which would leverage the USDA’s established circuit rider network to provide specialized support to smaller communities. By formalizing information-sharing through organizations like WaterISAC, the AWWA aims to transform water utilities from overlooked targets into hardened, resilient nodes of national infrastructure.
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