In this episode Talking Under Water the co-hosts discuss the recent coordinated cyberattacks targeting water and wastewater system PLCs across Minnesota and several other states, examining what happened, why it matters, and what utilities can learn from the incident. Bob Crossen and Alex Cossin break down reports that more than 30 Minnesota water systems were affected, with federal agencies now investigating activity across multiple states. The conversation explores how attackers targeted operational technology that helps run critical infrastructure such as pumps, wells, water towers, lift stations, and automated controls.

The hosts emphasize the most important takeaway from the attacks: despite operational disruptions, utilities successfully maintained safe drinking water by switching to manual operations. They discuss the growing importance of resilience as the industry adopts more digital tools, automation, and artificial intelligence, while highlighting the need to preserve operator expertise and manual control capabilities.

The episode also examines challenges facing smaller utilities, including limited staffing, funding constraints, and cybersecurity resources. Crossen and Cossin review guidance from agencies such as the FBI, CISA and EPA, including recommendations related to passwords, remote access, network segmentation, and operational technology security. They conclude by discussing ongoing questions surrounding the attacks, the role of manufacturers and communication during cybersecurity incidents, and the importance of supporting operators who helped maintain reliable service throughout the event.

Connect your PLCs to the Internet: What could possibly go wrong?

Cyber resilience and investment strategy in the water sector

This federal agency scans water system cyber-vulnerabilities for free

What recent cyberattacks reveal about securing water utility OT

What is operational technology (OT)?

00:00 – Introduction

00:44 – One of the largest coordinated cyberattacks on U.S. water systems unfolds

03:40 – Utilities switch to manual operations and keep water safe

04:42 – What the attacks reveal about workforce resilience and AI dependence

08:53 – Why manual controls remain critical for protecting water systems

12:39 – Federal guidance on cybersecurity, passwords, and system protections

16:56 – Who may be behind the attacks and what questions remain unanswered

25:06 – Housekeeping

About the Podcast

Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld and Stormwater Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, stormwater and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.

Contact the Talking Under Water podcast editors by emailing talkingunderwater@endeavorb2b.com engaging with them on X @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media.

In this episode Talking Under Water co-host Mandy Crispin speaks with Pranjali Kumar, associate vice president at Carollo and the firm’s Southeast Water Reuse Lead, about why the industry needs to look beyond treatment technologies and public perception when evaluating reuse projects.

Kumar explains how water reuse is increasingly being considered a resilience and sustainability tool rather than simply a drought response measure. She highlights the importance of systems thinking, organizational collaboration, and investment in human capital to ensure successful project implementation. The conversation also explores common misconceptions about potable reuse regulations, including the lengthy and collaborative process required to develop state-specific frameworks that protect public health while enabling innovation.

The discussion covers the factors that separate successful projects from those that stall, the economic realities of potable reuse compared to alternative water supply options, and the safeguards that make reuse a highly regulated and reliable source of drinking water. Looking ahead, Kumar shares insights on PFAS monitoring, artificial intelligence, advanced monitoring technologies, and how the next generation of water reuse leaders can build on lessons learned while remaining adaptable to change.

Engage with Pranjali Kumar, Carollo Engineers associate vice president and southeast water reuse lead.

00:00 – Introduction

01:16 – Why water reuse is becoming a core water supply strategy

03:36 – What's overemphasized and underestimated in potable reuse

05:48 – How potable reuse regulations are developed and why they take years

11:04 – What separates successful reuse projects from stalled projects

13:17 – Debunking the myth that potable reuse is cost prohibitive

18:35 – PFAS, AI, advanced monitoring, and the future of potable reuse

23:18 – Housekeeping

About the Podcast

Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld and Stormwater Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, stormwater and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.

Contact the Talking Under Water podcast editors by emailing talkingunderwater@endeavorb2b.com engaging with them on X @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media.

In this episode Talking Under Water co-hosts discuss EPA’s draft guidance on PFAS in biosolids, lessons utilities can take from the PFAS regulatory landscape to prepare for future contaminants, and recent developments affecting stormwater and water infrastructure projects.

Bob Crossen explains EPA’s newly released guidance for reducing risks associated with PFOA and PFOS in biosolids, highlighting the agency’s emphasis on source control, monitoring, pollution prevention, and public engagement through the ongoing comment period. He examines how states such as Michigan have successfully reduced PFAS loadings through pretreatment programs and discusses the challenges utilities face when land application options become restricted.

Mandy Crispin shares key insights from an ACE panel discussion focused on what PFAS can teach utilities about preparing for future contaminant regulations. She outlines emerging contaminants that could draw future regulatory attention and emphasizes the importance of documenting contaminant-specific costs, testing efforts, treatment decisions, staff time, and public outreach activities. These records could prove valuable for compliance, funding opportunities, and potential cost recovery efforts in the future.

The episode concludes with stormwater news covering Michigan dam safety legislation, EPA-approved groundwater remediation plans in Wyandotte, and Florida funding to strengthen wastewater infrastructure following Hurricane Milton.

EPA releases draft PFAS biosolids guidance for public comment

EPA proposes UCMR 6 monitoring rule, leaves microplastics off testing list

Lessons from PFAS can help utilities prepare for the next wave of contaminants

How Suffolk County Water Authority Got Ahead of PFAS and Built a Roadmap for the Next Emerging Contaminant

What PFAS Taught Us About Preparing for the Next Emerging Contaminant

What is greywater?

• 00:00 – Introduction
• 01:31 – EPA releases PFAS in biosolids guidance and opens public comment period
• 04:59 – Michigan’s source-control strategy shows major PFAS reductions
• 11:23 – ACE panel lessons: preparing utilities for the next emerging contaminant
• 14:26 – Why utilities should document contaminant-specific costs and decisions
• 18:08 – Suffolk County perspective: preventing contaminants before they reach drinking water sources
• 19:26 – Stormwater infrastructure, dam safety, cleanup projects, and funding news
• 21:48 – Housekeeping

About the podcast

Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld and Storm Water Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, stormwater and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.

Contact the Talking Under Water podcast editors by emailing talkingunderwater@endeavorb2b.com engaging with them on X @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media.