Notice of Proposed Rule Making

Wastewater Cybersecurity Rules

DEC published a Notice of Proposed Rule Making with the New York State Department of State on June 25, 2025 to amend 6 NYCRR Parts 616, 650 and 750. The proposed rules would add cybersecurity regulations for wastewater treatment facilities including:

• A requirement that SPDES permittees report cybersecurity incidents;
• A requirement that POTWs establish, maintain, and implement an Emergency Response Plan that includes a Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan;
• Minimum cybersecurity controls for POTWs;
• New cybersecurity-related definitions, incorporation by reference of cybersecurity documents; and annual certifications of compliance; and
• Mandated cybersecurity trainings for certified wastewater operators*.

Copies of the documents for the proposed rulemaking, along with the Express Terms (text of proposed rule) are available on the DEC's website. Comments will be accepted until September 3, 2025.

Find more information in the June 25th Environmental Notice Bulletin.

This information was initially broadcast by the DEC via the Division of Water's new email Cybersecurity bulletin. To receive timely updates on cybersecurity from the DEC, click here to join the email bulletin.

*The proposed rule would require that certified Grade 1/1A and Grade 2/2A operators secure 2 contact hours of cybersecurity training in their five-year renewal period; Grade 3/3A and Grade 4/4A would be required to secure 4 cybersecurity training contact hours. The total contact hours for each grade will remain the same. For example, for a Grade 3A operator, 4 of the 60 contact hours submitted would be required to be approved cybersecurity training. If adopted, this change would go into effect for certificates that expire on or after January 1, 2027. We'll keep you posted.

FYI - Free cybersecurity assessments and training opportunities previously reported in Thru the Barscreen are available on the DEC's Wastewater Cybersecurity Resources Page.

September 27 - October 1, 2025

Seeking WEFTEC-Related Renewal Credits?

Be Aware of DEC Approval Requirements

If you are fortunate to be able to attend this year's Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC) in Chicago, make sure that you know which Conference events the NYS DEC has approved for renewal credits.

There are a myriad of learning opportunities at WEFTEC, but keep in mind that only those opportunities approved by the NYS DEC for renewal credit can be applied when you next renew your certificate. In a few weeks, WEF will post the DEC's list of 2025 approved WEFTEC contact hours on its website. To give you an idea as to what to expect, here is a link to the 2024 credit approvals for the various states (click here). You will note that the DEC-approved credits for technical sessions or workshops. The NYS DEC will not approve renewal credits for facility tours, the student design competition, or exhibit-hall related time (termed "General Contact Hours" by WEF). "General Contact Hours" available via the "Expo Only" pass are simply accumulated through the participant's scanning of a badge at kiosks throughout the exhibit hall; thus they are not approved for contact hours.

Questions? Contact the DEC at RTCinfo@dec.ny.gov

Need Renewal Training?

Check out the Thomas J. Lauro Membeship Education Program

Make sure to check out NYWEA's 2025 training schedule and register for upcoming courses on our website:

https://nywea.org/thomas-j-lauro-member-education/

Confined Space Awareness

Location: Virtual Webinar

Instructor: Nellie Brown

Date: July 22, 2025

Time: 10:00 am - Noon

Fee: Free (Members and Non-Members)

Contact Hours: 2.0 RTC/PDH Pending

Click to Register

Ethics & Data Integrity

Location: Virtual Webinar

Instructor: Ken Scherrieble, Camden Group

Date: August 28, 2025

Time: Noon - 1 pm

Fee: Free to Membes, $20 for Non-Members

Contact Hours: 1.0 RTC/PDH Pending

Click to Register

Questions? Contact NYWEA's Maggie Simpson at msimpson@nywea.org

Work in Water Program Results in

Seven Paid Internships

As reported in Thru the Barsceen in April, NYWEA offers summer internships to high school and college students through our Work in Water Program. These internships are flexible - they can last all summer, be just a few days a week, or just a few weeks of the summer. The choice is between the utility and the student. NYWEA offers a $2,500 stipend per internship which NYWEA can pay directly to the intern at the end of the internship, to the municality to use for hourly payroll, or NYWEA can add the intern to our payroll. These funds can be supplemented by the utility as well.

This year, seven Work in Water interns are benefitting from this program and are working at wastewater facilities in the City of Watertown, the Village of Marcellus, the Village of Minoa and the Town of Tonawanda. While the Program's application period has closed for this summer, keep this Program in mind for next year, and years to come!

For more information, contact Executive Director Khris Dodson at Khris@nywea.org