May 8, 2024
DCS Water '24
Planning and prevention were the focus of the first International Conference on the Design of Cyber-Secure Water Plants, hosted by Singapore University of Technology and Design’s iTrust Labs and The Water Tower on April 23-24, 2024. DCS-Water ’24 brought together leaders in the technology, security and research fields to present and discuss methods and tools to thwart cyberattacks on water and wastewater plants. Conference sponsors included Waterfall Security Solutions, Tetra Tech, Siemens, Fortiphyd Logic, STV and Goldilocks.
Sessions covered a diverse range of topics, including: artificial intelligence and machine learning; digital twin technology for cyber security training; methods for identifying rogue players, threats, and false positives; using Generative Adversarial Networks to protect water plants; and zero-trust design of water plants, and more.
Regulations and awareness surrounding cybersecurity for water systems are increasing. In 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency issued new requirements for public water facilities to strengthen cybersecurity practices. In a March 2024 memo, the White House and the EPA reinforced with U.S. state governors the urgency around protecting water infrastructure against cyber threats.
“Now more than ever, utilities must protect water services with the same rigor and standards used to provide it,” said Melissa Meeker, CEO of The Water Tower. “In our industry, technical and human element vulnerabilities are inevitable. At DCS-Water ’24, we had the opportunity to listen, learn and collaborate to bolster continuity across infrastructure.”
Save the date for DCS Water '25 - the conference will be coming back to The Water Tower on May 13-15, 2025.
Demo Day 2024
The Third Annual Demo Day on April 18, 2024, brought together 250 professionals to experience cutting-edge technology focused on tackling key challenges facing water providers.
Technology manufacturers, engineers, consultants, and utility representatives at Demo Day had the opportunity to discover the newest innovations for the field and control rooms. Attendees interacted with hands-on demonstrations in the expo hall and outdoor experiential areas at The Water Tower campus.
Two expert panels featuring esteemed leaders in the water sector discussed groundbreaking advancements on key topics and technologies in the water industry. Attendees gained valuable insights on drivers for technology innovation from a utility perspective and a closer look at cutting-edge technologies being demonstrated on TWT's campus.
Demo Day is free for utility workers of all levels, with a small fee for others, thanks to support from a suite of sponsors, including presenting sponsors Kamstrup and Siemens; Pilot Scale Sponsors Grundfos, inCTRL, Tetra Tech, Endress Hauser, and Goforth Williamson; Lunch Sponsor Consolidated Pipe and Supply Company; Bench Scale Sponsors Ardurra, Kasco, GeoHydro Enginers, SediVision, NETZSCH, and Mosaic Paperless Solutions; and support from TWT's Sustaining and Transformative partners Garver, Gwinnett County, Kamstrup, SafeKrit, Siemens, and Wade Trim.
Early bird registration for Demo Day 2025 is now open on The Water Tower's website at www.theh2otower.org/demo-day.
The Water Tower consists of two nonprofit organizations: The Water Tower at Gwinnett, a 501(c)4 – responsible for the development and operations of the campus, and The Water Tower Institute, a 501c3 – responsible for solutions, instruction, and engagement programming. Together, these entities are cultivating an ecosystem of water innovation fueled by imagination, informed by research, and powered by pioneers. The Water Tower brings together public and private sectors of the water industry, side by side with academia and nonprofits, to tackle the industry’s greatest challenges.