WFOA Weekly Water Industry Briefing

Week of: August 3, 2026

1. Top Stories (Most Important 3–5)

• EPA proposes UCMR 6 monitoring rule, leaves microplastics off testing list — EPA published a proposed UCMR-6 monitoring rule that sets new national monitoring requirements for contaminants in drinking water but did not include microplastics on the list of required tests. — Why it matters: utilities and labs will need to prepare for new federal monitoring obligations while microplastics testing remains a regulatory gap states and stakeholders may pursue. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/drinking-water-treatment/news/55388787/epa-proposes-ucmr-6-monitoring-rule-leaves-microplastics-off-testing-list

• De Nora selected to provide PFAS treatment for HRSD's SWIFT reuse facility — De Nora was chosen to supply PFAS treatment technologies for the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) SWIFT advanced reuse facility. — Why it matters: large-scale reuse projects are incorporating dedicated PFAS removal steps, indicating growing deployment of treatment trains addressing PFAS in potable/reuse systems. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/water-reuse/news/55391351/de-nora-de-nora-selected-to-provide-pfas-treatment-for-hrsds-swift-reuse-facility

• EPA awards $30 million to strengthen small and rural water systems — EPA announced a $30 million award package aimed at technical assistance, training, and resilience for small and rural water systems. — Why it matters: targeted federal funding and assistance can help small systems address compliance, workforce, and infrastructure gaps that affect water quality and reliability. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/water-utility-management/news/55393702/epa-awards-30-million-to-strengthen-small-and-rural-water-systems

• Multiple Minnesota water utilities investigate coordinated cyberattack — Several Minnesota utilities reported and are investigating a coordinated cyber incident affecting operational systems. — Why it matters: cybersecurity incidents are increasingly hitting utilities and can disrupt monitoring, SCADA, billing, or operations; preparedness and incident response are immediate priorities. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/water-utility-management/news/55394026/multiple-minnesota-water-utilities-investigate-coordinated-cyberattack

2. PFAS & Contaminant Updates

• De Nora selected to provide PFAS treatment for HRSD's SWIFT reuse facility — announcement of equipment selection for PFAS removal in a large reuse project. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/water-reuse/news/55391351/de-nora-de-nora-selected-to-provide-pfas-treatment-for-hrsds-swift-reuse-facility

• EPA approves cleanup plan for BASF site to protect Detroit River from groundwater contamination — EPA approved a remedial plan to address groundwater contamination at a chemical manufacturing site affecting the Detroit River watershed. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/drinking-water-treatment/pfas/news/55387698/epa-approves-cleanup-plan-for-basf-site-to-protect-detroit-river-from-groundwater-contamination

• EPA proposes UCMR 6 monitoring rule, leaves microplastics off testing list — UCMR-6 proposal establishes monitoring priorities; microplastics were not included. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/drinking-water-treatment/news/55388787/epa-proposes-ucmr-6-monitoring-rule-leaves-microplastics-off-testing-list

• State attorneys general urge EPA to require microplastics monitoring in drinking water — several state AGs called on EPA to include microplastics in federal drinking water monitoring requirements. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/drinking-water-treatment/news/55386976/state-attorneys-general-urge-epa-to-require-microplastics-monitoring-in-drinking-water

3. Regulations & Compliance

• EPA proposes UCMR 6 monitoring rule (microplastics excluded) — potential near-term federal monitoring requirements that utilities must track. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/drinking-water-treatment/news/55388787/epa-proposes-ucmr-6-monitoring-rule-leaves-microplastics-off-testing-list

• WQA backs Senate drinking water bill with point-of-use treatment pilot — industry association supports proposed federal pilot for point-of-use treatment as part of drinking water policy discussions. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/drinking-water-treatment/news/55392363/wqa-backs-senate-drinking-water-bill-with-point-of-use-treatment-pilot

• State attorneys general urge EPA to require microplastics monitoring — coordinated state request to change federal monitoring scope. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/drinking-water-treatment/news/55386976/state-attorneys-general-urge-epa-to-require-microplastics-monitoring-in-drinking-water

• EPA highlights funding, workforce needs during Kansas rural water roundtable — EPA emphasized funding and workforce constraints for rural systems during stakeholder meetings. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/water-utility-management/news/55394923/epa-highlights-funding-workforce-needs-during-kansas-rural-water-roundtable

• EPA awards $30 million to strengthen small and rural water systems — funding aimed at compliance support and resilience for small systems. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/water-utility-management/news/55393702/epa-awards-30-million-to-strengthen-small-and-rural-water-systems

4. Infrastructure & Municipal Water

• Multiple Minnesota water utilities investigate coordinated cyberattack — utilities are investigating impacts and containment. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/water-utility-management/news/55394026/multiple-minnesota-water-utilities-investigate-coordinated-cyberattack

• Cyberattacks targeting U.S. water systems prompt renewed focus on utility cybersecurity — overview of increasing cyber threats to water sector operations and response needs. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/water-utility-management/news/55395154/cyberattacks-targeting-us-water-systems-prompt-renewed-focus-on-utility-cybersecurity

• California deploys multi‑pronged strategy to protect water infrastructure from golden mussels — state actions and mobile lab testing to prevent invasive mussel impacts on infrastructure. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/water-utility-management/news/55394646/california-deploys-multi-pronged-strategy-to-protect-water-infrastructure-from-golden-mussels

• Missouri awards $2.4 million to upgrade Fisk drinking water system — state funding for local drinking water infrastructure improvements. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/smart-water-utility/news/55369302/missouri-awards-24-million-to-upgrade-fisk-drinking-water-system

• Report: Median U.S. household water and sewer bills reach $1,065 annually — data on rising household utility costs relevant to municipal finance and rate-setting. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/water-utility-management/news/55394344/report-median-us-household-water-and-sewer-bills-reach-1065-annually

5. Well Water & Rural Systems

• EPA awards $30 million to strengthen small and rural water systems — funding directed at technical assistance and resilience for small/rural utilities that support well-dependent communities. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/water-utility-management/news/55393702/epa-awards-30-million-to-strengthen-small-and-rural-water-systems

• EPA highlights funding, workforce needs during Kansas rural water roundtable — discussion of rural challenges including capacity to meet compliance. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/water-utility-management/news/55394923/epa-highlights-funding-workforce-needs-during-kansas-rural-water-roundtable

• Missouri awards $2.4 million to upgrade Fisk drinking water system — an example of state-level assistance to improve a small community system. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/smart-water-utility/news/55369302/missouri-awards-24-million-to-upgrade-fisk-drinking-water-system

6. Industry & Technology

• Carollo Engineers to lead full-scale application of machine learning to wastewater disinfection control — trial applying ML to optimize disinfection processes. — Source: Water Online, https://www.wateronline.com/doc/carollo-engineers-to-lead-full-scale-application-of-machine-learning-to-wastewater-disinfection-control-0001

• AI-Enhanced Multi-Method Pipeline Monitoring — coverage of AI-based monitoring approaches to detect leaks/ruptures earlier. — Source: Water Online, https://www.wateronline.com/doc/ai-enhanced-multi-method-pipeline-monitoring-0001

• Schneider Electric launches AI-powered platform for utility network management — new platform aimed at network optimization and asset management. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/water-utility-management/asset-management/news/55388108/schneider-electric-schneider-electric-launches-ai-powered-platform-for-utility-network-management

• Itron expands digital metering pilot with Hunter Water in Australia — digital metering pilots and AMI expansion for better usage data. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/water-utility-management/asset-management/news/55381145/itron-expands-digital-metering-pilot-with-hunter-water-in-australia

• What Experience Taught Medford About AMI; What 15 Years Of AMI Experience Has Taught Utilities; From two data points to a living map — multiple Water Online pieces on AMI, data-driven distribution management, meter coverage and reducing truck rolls. — Source: Water Online, https://www.wateronline.com/doc/what-experience-taught-medford-about-ami-0001 ; https://www.wateronline.com/doc/what-years-of-ami-experience-has-taught-utilities-0001 ; https://www.wateronline.com/doc/from-two-data-points-to-a-living-map-proactive-distribution-management-0001

• Pusan National University Study Advances Solar Desalination With Multifunctional Membrane — research on membrane materials for solar-driven desalination. — Source: Water Online, https://www.wateronline.com/doc/pusan-national-university-study-advances-solar-desalination-with-multifunctional-membrane-0001

• Coal waste could become an active catalyst for cleaner wastewater — study on repurposing coal waste materials as catalysts in wastewater treatment. — Source: Water Online, https://www.wateronline.com/doc/coal-waste-could-become-an-active-catalyst-for-cleaner-wastewater-0001

• From Europe's first direct potable reuse scheme — lessons from operational DPR in Belgium and online microbial monitoring. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/water-reuse/article/55388912/from-wastewater-to-tap-lessons-from-europes-first-direct-potable-reuse-scheme

• Why reuse projects succeed — or fail; What’s driving the reuse boom; Closing the loop: how reuse is reshaping water management — multiple analyses on drivers, barriers, and technology choices for reuse. — Source: Water Online, https://www.wateronline.com/doc/why-reuse-projects-succeed-or-fail-0001 ; https://www.wateronline.com/doc/what-s-driving-the-reuse-boom-0001 ; https://www.wateronline.com/doc/closing-the-loop-how-reuse-is-reshaping-water-management-0001

• RLCore launches reinforcement learning tool (RLTune) for water system optimization — new commercial ML tool for operational optimization. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/smart-water-utility/article/55389301/rlcore-launches-reinforcement-learning-tool-for-water-system-optimization

7. Practical Takeaways for Homeowners

• If you rely on a private well or small-system supply, track local rural assistance and upgrade funds (EPA awards and state grants) for potential testing or system support; contact your state rural water association to learn about available programs. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/water-utility-management/news/55393702/epa-awards-30-million-to-strengthen-small-and-rural-water-systems ; https://www.waterworld.com/smart-water-utility/news/55369302/missouri-awards-24-million-to-upgrade-fisk-drinking-water-system

• For homeowners on municipal systems: stay alert to utility cybersecurity notifications and boil or service advisories; utilities are reporting coordinated cyber incidents that can affect services and communications. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/water-utility-management/news/55394026/multiple-minnesota-water-utilities-investigate-coordinated-cyberattack ; https://www.waterworld.com/water-utility-management/news/55395154/cyberattacks-targeting-us-water-systems-prompt-renewed-focus-on-utility-cybersecurity

• Consider point-of-use (POU) treatment options if you have specific contaminant concerns (PFAS, lead), and follow developments on federal pilots and guidance that may affect subsidy or approval programs for POU devices. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/drinking-water-treatment/news/55392363/wqa-backs-senate-drinking-water-bill-with-point-of-use-treatment-pilot ; https://www.waterworld.com/water-reuse/news/55391351/de-nora-de-nora-selected-to-provide-pfas-treatment-for-hrsds-swift-reuse-facility

• Monitor your utility’s communications about testing and monitoring changes (UCMR-6); utilities will update customers when monitoring results or new contaminant tests are required. — Source: WaterWorld, https://www.waterworld.com/drinking-water-treatment/news/55388787/epa-proposes-ucmr-6-monitoring-rule-leaves-microplastics-off-testing-list

8. Closing Summary

This week’s coverage centers on evolving federal monitoring and funding priorities (UCMR-6, EPA rural assistance), growing deployment of PFAS treatment in reuse projects, and an intensifying focus on cyber and infrastructure resilience. Technology trends—AI/ML for operations, expanded metering and digital tools, and advanced reuse/desalination research—are being adopted alongside targeted investments to help smaller systems meet compliance and reliability needs.