- In October, the FBI, National Security Agency, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and EPA warned that U.S. water and wastewater systems are being targeted by hackers. An incident occurred in Florida last year when a hacker attempted to raise the level of sodium hydroxide in the water, which is poisonous at high levels. The threat can be reduced if water-sector cybersecurity standards are put into place with input from water utilities and associations.
- As temperatures dropped the weekend of January 1st, natural gas production dropped by about 20% and several natural gas companies reported to the TCEQ that they had to unexpectedly flare off gas because their equipment froze. This raises questions and concerns about the grid’s ability to handle extreme winter weather this year.
- Health departments across the world are increasingly depending on wastewater testing for COVID-19 data in their communities as the supply of at-home tests cannot keep up with current demand. Sewage analysis is most effective as an early warning signal between surges and to fill in some gaps during waves when testing is insufficient.
- Across Texas, municipalities are beginning the process of updating their water infrastructure by adopting new advanced metering infrastructure and automatic meter reading systems. These metering systems use advanced technology to read, monitor, and maintain water, electric, and gas utility distribution systems. The upgrades provide increased operational efficiencies, system data analytics for data-based decision making, and a reduction in overall operational costs.
- Last week’s TWDB drought map shows extreme or severe drought covering most of the state due to weeks of below-average precipitation and above-average temperatures.