THE WORLD'S LEADING ONE-STOP WATER LIFE PARTNER.

The EPA is allocating $11.75 million in grants to improve the resilience of drinking water systems against cyberattacks and extreme weather events. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing $11.75 million in grants to 10 midsize and large drinking water systems to strengthen resilience against cybersecurity threats and extreme weather events. The funding, awarded through EPA’s Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Grant Program, will support projects addressing hazards including cyberattacks, hurricanes, wildfires, drought and flooding. Among the largest awards are $2.375 million each to Bloomington, Indiana, and San Diego, California. Bloomington will use its funding for facility upgrades, backup generators and SCADA improvements, while San Diego will replace programmable logic controllers (PLCs) to address natural hazard and cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Other projects include SCADA and pump control modernization in Lake City, Florida; hurricane resilience improvements in Orange City, Florida; a new well facility in Bay City, Texas; dam upgrades in Denver; and smart water monitoring and tank replacement in Anderson, California. The grants build on EPA’s broader cybersecurity efforts. The agency said it identified cybersecurity vulnerabilities at 277 water systems in 2025 and worked with utilities to address issues including authentication and access controls. EPA also

A U.S. appeals court has affirmed the EPA’s 2024 designation of PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under CERCLA, reinforcing regulatory authority and impacting industries handling PFAS contamination. A federal appeals court has upheld the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s designation of two widely detected PFAS compounds as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued its decision Aug. 18, rejecting challenges from seven industry groups representing companies that use, transport or discharge PFOA and PFOS. The court concluded that EPA acted within its authority when it designated the two chemicals as hazardous substances in 2024. The designation has significant implications for water utilities and other entities dealing with PFAS contamination. Under CERCLA, releases of more than one pound of PFOA or PFOS generally trigger federal reporting requirements. The designation also allows EPA, following additional regulatory steps, to compel responsible parties to address releases and enables federal and state governments and affected private parties to seek recovery of cleanup costs from parties responsible for contamination. The court rejected industry arguments that EPA’s cost-benefit analysis was inadequate. EPA had estimated cleanup costs and considered potential impacts on industries

In collaboration with HHS, the EPA is expediting its review of fluoride’s health impacts using systematic methods, with public input shaping the assessment that could influence future standards. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a new scientific protocol outlining how it will evaluate potential health risks associated with fluoride in drinking water, marking the next step in an accelerated review that could inform future federal drinking water regulations. The Protocol for Developing the Fluoride Human Health Toxicity Assessment describes the agency’s methodology for conducting a dose-response analysis to determine fluoride exposure levels that may pose health risks. EPA said the protocol incorporates public comments received on its earlier Preliminary Assessment Plan and Literature Survey. According to the agency, the assessment will focus on two primary health endpoints in children: neurodevelopmental effects, including potential impacts on brain function and IQ, and dental fluorosis, which can cause discoloration and pitting of tooth enamel. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the agency is expediting the assessment under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) in coordination with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), with the goal of completing the review years ahead of the standard timeline. The agency said it will