Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- S. 1118
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Water Resources Development
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-25: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T22:08:08Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the preparedness and resilience of drinking water and wastewater systems against threats, including cyberattacks, malevolent acts (intentional harmful actions), and natural hazards (like floods or earthquakes). It focuses on improving information sharing and support for these critical infrastructure systems.
Key Provisions
- Program Establishment: Within one year of enactment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator must create and implement a program to:
- Promote participation by community water systems (public water supplies serving residences), treatment works (wastewater facilities), and related entities in the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Water ISAC), a hub for sharing threat intelligence in the water sector.
- Cover costs for these entities to join or maintain membership in Water ISAC.
- Increase collaboration between EPA and Water ISAC on collecting and analyzing data about incidents and threats to the water sector.
- Improve Water ISAC's tools, resources, and materials to monitor the water sector's status and help systems prepare for, prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from threats.
- Funding: Authorizes $10 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027, available until spent, to support the program.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill does not amend existing laws directly but builds on frameworks like the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act by creating a new EPA program. It expands the role of Water ISAC—already referenced in federal law—without altering its core structure, emphasizing financial and technical support for broader participation and enhanced threat monitoring.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The EPA will gain new responsibilities for program development, coordination with Water ISAC, and fund allocation, potentially improving federal oversight of water security but requiring additional administrative resources.
- Citizens: Enhanced protection for public water supplies could reduce risks of contamination or disruptions from threats, leading to safer drinking water and wastewater services for communities nationwide.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though improved U.S. water sector resilience could indirectly strengthen national critical infrastructure defenses against global cyber threats.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Community Water Systems and Treatment Works: Public utilities responsible for drinking water and wastewater, who benefit from cost offsets, better threat intelligence, and preparedness tools.
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Leads program implementation and coordination.
- Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Water ISAC): Receives expanded support to enhance its role in threat monitoring and analysis.
- Water Sector Entities: Broader participants, such as private or nonprofit organizations involved in water management, who are encouraged to join information-sharing efforts.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces federal support for critical infrastructure security under existing environmental laws, with no new regulatory burdens on states or utilities; funding authorization ensures fiscal backing without mandating spending.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce and promote general welfare, particularly for essential public health services, without raising federalism concerns as it incentivizes rather than mandates participation.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan interest in cybersecurity and infrastructure resilience (introduced by Sen. Markey), potentially setting a model for similar programs in other sectors; the limited two-year funding window may prompt future debates on long-term appropriations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-25: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 2025-03-25: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-25 — PDF (4 pages)