Illinois water cyberattack reporting remains split across general safety rules and federal guidance. A pending bill would require cybersecurity programs and incident procedures as utilities confront threats to connected control systems across the state. Illinois reporting rules leave a cyber gap Illinois water systems operate under general emergency-notification rules, but the state still lacks

A Converse Reservoir dam IED found underwater in Mobile, Alabama, has raised security concerns around a key drinking water site after officials said the device was safely removed and detonated. The Mobile Area Water and Sewer System said the grenade-type improvised explosive device was discovered by divers who were surveying the dam for routine repair and maintenance at Converse Reservoir, also known as Big Creek Lake. MAWSS said it alerted the Mobile County Sheriff

Long-term infrastructure upgrades drive rising utility costs San Francisco officials have approved a series of water and sewer rate increases set to begin in the summer of 2026, with additional adjustments planned through 2036. The increases are tied to a long-term capital improvement strategy led by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, aimed at modernizing aging infrastructure and maintaining system reliability. City data shows that portions of the water

The Oakland Unified School District in California is approaching the resolution of a widespread lead contamination issue affecting drinking water across its campuses, following more than a year of testing and infrastructure repairs. District officials confirmed that as of March 2026, only two faucets remain out of service, marking significant progress in addressing elevated lead levels that were discovered in aging plumbing systems. The issue first emerged over the past 18 months, w

Phillipsburg officials say repair work on several large sinkholes could take days or even weeks as crews continue to assess the extent of the damage and investigate the underlying cause. Local authorities are working closely with engineers and utility providers to determine whether additional ground failures could occur in the affected area. Mayor Randy Piazza Jr. said the town is taking the situation seriously, noting that while the region sits on a substantial limestone deposit wh

Crews from Veolia Water and the New Jersey Department of Transportation are continuing repair operations following a water main break that disrupted traffic along Route 17 North in Mahwah. The incident occurred near milepost 4.7, where damage to the underground water line forced the closure of two travel lanes and led to significant traffic slowdowns in the area. According to officials on scene, the left lane of Route 17 North remains heavily impacted as multiple service and support

Crews in Passaic County spent Tuesday addressing a significant water main break that forced the closure of the US 46 westbound ramp from County Route 640 and Riverview Drive in Totowa. Local officials confirmed that the rupture sent large amounts of water across the nearby Home Depot parking lot, where temperatures hovered around 18 degrees. The combination of high water flow and freezing winter weather created a sheet of ice that quickly transformed the area into a safety hazard for drivers

City officials in Columbus, Ohio have announced a sweeping increase in utility rates — including water, sewer, stormwater and electric services — as part of a broader infrastructure strategy aimed at ensuring safe tap water, accommodating future growth and reinforcing drought resilience. The proposed package would represent the largest adjustment in recent years and positions the city to meet both current demands and long-term capital needs. According to municipal sources, inflation and

AUSTIN, Texas — A major water main break in the Riverside area has led to an extended road closure, disrupting one of Austin’s key traffic corridors on Monday. The incident occurred near the intersection of East Riverside Drive and South Lakeshore Boulevard, prompting authorities to shut down all eastbound lanes to ensure public safety and facilitate emergency repairs. According to officials, the water main burst early in the day, flooding parts of the roadway and creating hazar

The City of Columbus has achieved a significant legal victory by securing a $4 million settlement payment from 3M Corporation in a high-profile lawsuit concerning chemical contamination. Filed in 2023, the lawsuit accused 3M of producing forever chemicals, also known as PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), while knowingly ignoring their harmful effects on human health and the environment. These chemicals have been widely used in industrial processes and consumer products due to their resi

A major water and wastewater utility serving the East Bay is preparing to vote on a proposed rate increase aimed at funding critical upgrades to century-old infrastructure. The plan, if approved, would raise rates by 13% over two years for water customers and 17% for wastewater customers, with the changes set to begin in July. Customers can expect their average monthly water bill to increase by approximately $8, with wastewater bills rising just over $4. The additional revenue wil

Washington, D.C. has launched a major new phase in its ongoing Clean Rivers Project with the start of construction on the Potomac River Tunnel, a massive infrastructure effort intended to dramatically reduce sewage overflows into the Potomac River. The tunnel, which will run 5.5 miles beneath the city, aims to intercept and redirect combined sewer overflows — a mixture of untreated sewage and stormwater — which currently flow directly into the river during periods of heavy rainfall.

Faced with the challenge of limited future water sources and rapid population growth, the city of Austin is ramping up its efforts in water reuse, conservation, and underground storage as part of an ambitious long-term strategy to meet demand for decades to come. At a recent infrastructure summit hosted by the Austin Chamber of Commerce, water planners and city leaders outlined Austin's evolving strategy, which centers on extending the lifespan of its current water resources through smart