Bipartisan bill pushes upgraded cyber tech in rural water utilities

StateScoop reports that rural water utilities across the U.S. would be able to seek funding to modernize their cybersecurity systems and digital monitoring tools under the Futureproofing Local Operations for Water Systems, or FLOWS, Act.

Under the bill, which was unveiled last week by Sens. John Boozman, R-Ark., and Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., the Environmental Protection Agency would be given $50 million annually to assist small and rural water utilities with limited resources in better managing their stormwater, wastewater, and water systems. The funds would be provided without requiring under-resourced communities to contribute their own share, which is a criterion that frequently makes it difficult for smaller utilities with smaller customer bases to qualify for federal help.

"We're helping local water providers upgrade their equipment, catch problems before they become costly emergencies, and protect their systems from attacks so families aren't left footing the bill for breakdowns and disruptions," said Kelly.