Water and Wastewater Systems Sector
The Water and Wastewater Systems Sector provides essential services that are critical to public health, environmental protection, economic activity, and the operation of communities across the Nation. The sector includes the infrastructure and organizations responsible for providing safe drinking water and collecting, treating, and managing wastewater. These services support homes, businesses, industries, government facilities, emergency services, and virtually every other critical infrastructure sector.
Overview
Water and wastewater systems range from large regional utilities serving millions of people to small community systems. Their operations depend on treatment facilities, pumping stations, storage facilities, distribution and collection networks, laboratories, communications systems, and a skilled workforce.
Modern water and wastewater facilities also rely heavily on information technology and operational technology to monitor and control pumps, valves, treatment processes, water quality, and other essential functions. This reliance makes cybersecurity, physical security, emergency preparedness, and operational resilience important components of protecting the sector.
Disruptions caused by natural disasters, equipment failures, contamination, physical threats, or cyber incidents can affect public health and safety and create cascading impacts across other critical infrastructure sectors. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency serves as the Sector Risk Management Agency for the Water and Wastewater Systems Sector and works with government and industry partners to strengthen its security and resilience.
Read more about the Water and Wastewater Systems Sector at CISA
