June 11, 2021
Critical VMware vulnerability, patch immediately if found 
CISA is aware of the likelihood that cyber threat actors are attempting to exploit CVE-2021-21985, a remote code execution vulnerability in VMware vCenter Server and VMware Cloud Foundation. This vulnerability was discussed on the May 27 CISA weekly SOC call.
 
Although patches were made available on May 25, 2021, unpatched systems remain an attractive target and attackers can exploit this vulnerability to take control of an unpatched system. VMware vCenter Server and VMware Cloud Foundation are part of the underlying infrastructure for most agencies with on premises network management. Based off CISA visibility, several agencies are showing unpatched instances of these products.
CISA encourages agencies, state and local governments, critical infrastructure entities, and other private sector organizations to review VMware’s VMSA-21-0010, blogpost, and FAQ for more information about the vulnerability and apply the necessary updates as soon as possible, even if out-of-cycle work is required. If your organization cannot immediately apply the update, then apply the workarounds in the interim.
Links:
 
To report an incident or indicators of potential compromise, visit https://us-cert.cisa.gov/report. For general questions and inquiries, contact CyberLiaison@cisa.dhs.gov.
2021 FRWA Annual Conference
August 9-11, 2021
Hilton Daytona Beach
100 N Atlantic Ave
Daytona Beach FL 32118
Registration (386) 254-8200
Group Code: FRWA21
It's been way too long since we have been able to get together! Which makes this year's Florida Rural Water Association’s Annual Technical and Training Conference the most anticipated event of the year! The Conference will be held at the beautiful Hilton Daytona Beach/Ocean Walk Village in exciting Daytona Beach, Florida with the room rates starting at $115.00 (this rate does not include $9.00 self parking rate) plus tax. For reservations, please call 386.254.8200 or click here to reserve your room online. You will want to bring the entire family to take advantage of all the amenities that Daytona Beach has to offer. For those wishing to drive in for the day, there will be a reduced self parking fee of $6.00. Don't forget to pick up your pass in the Registration Area.
 
Things will kick off with the Twenty-Fourth Annual Carl Hongell Memorial Golf Tournament at the LPGA Golf Course! You will not want to forget to bring your water sample to the Registration booth before 2:00 pm on Tuesday to participate in this year’s Best Tasting Water Contest. The winner will be announced at the Exhibitor Social in the Exhibit Hall on Tuesday evening and have a chance to participate in the “Great American Taste Test” in Washington DC in February.
 
Don't miss your chance to be in the Exhibit Hall when your name is picked for the door prizes that are given away! These and other activities will keep you informed, inspired, and motivated so that we can help you to make sure the future of the water and wastewater industry in Florida is bright.
 
We are still in the planning stages of the Conference and do not have an agenda available. More information will be posted on our website at this link as it becomes available.
 
Make your plans now! Don't miss out on the fun! See you in Daytona!
NATIONAL NEWS

Biden FY2022 Full Budget Request Includes Large Increase for EPA & Water Programs President Joe Biden released his fiscal 2022 budget request last week, building on the skinny budget released in April. more

Critical VMware vulnerability, patch immediately if found CISA is aware of the likelihood that cyber threat actors are attempting to exploit CVE-2021-21985, a remote code execution vulnerability in VMware vCenter Server and VMware Cloud Foundation. more

Senator Lindsey Graham says cyber attacks are coming from Russia Washington, D.C. – Greta Van Susteren interviewed Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) for Gray Television’s “Full Court Press with Greta Van Susteren” airing Sunday, June 6, 2021. more

Companies hit with ransomware should contact the FBI FBI Director Christopher Wray said the agency was investigating about 100 different types of ransomware, many tracing back to hackers in Russia, and compared the current spate of cyberattacks with the challenge posed by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. more

White House Issues Memo on Critical Infrastructure and Threat of Ransomware The number and size of ransomware incidents have increased significantly, and strengthening our nation’s resilience from cyberattacks both private and public sector is a top priority of the President’s. more

Senate to Examine PFAS in Water Issues This Week On Wednesday, June 9, at 10:00 AM ET, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will hold a hearing entitled, “PFAS: the View from Affected Citizens and States.” more

Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Update The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS), Division of Energy Assistance (DEA), is releasing emergency funding for the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) for federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2021. more

STATE NEWS

ECUA Offers Cooking Oil Disposal Stations, Including A New One On Nine Mile Road | North Escambia The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority has a new Cooking Oil Disposal Station at Ever’man Cooperative on Nine Mile Road. more

City of Tampa unveils new conservation plan to protect water resources and fight rising sea levels City of Tampa leaders are taking steps to preserve drinking water for years to come with Mayor Jane Castor's "One Water Plan" through her Resilient Tampa Roadmap. more
West Palm Beach water issues similar to problems in Salem, Oregon, 3 years ago | WPTV As West Palm Beach emerges from its recent drinking water crisis, its leaders are promising to learn lessons from the incident. more

Hurricane Irma prompts Collier to beef up backup power at sewage pump stations | Naples Daily News Collier County commissioners took another step toward hurricane preparedness Tuesday with the approval of funding for emergency backup power systems at 14 critical wastewater pump stations. more

Martin County hopes businesses can help curb fertilizer use of residents | WPTV
Fertilizer bans went into effect in Martin County last week as they have for the last few years every summer. more

Fertilizer ingredients contribute to SWFL's algae crisis | WINK Do you know exactly what you put on your lawn? When fertilizer containing phosphorus and nitrogen ends up in our water, it can feed the toxic algae we’re struggling to reduce. more

High levels of 'Forever' chemicals soil South Patrick and Cocoa Beach | Florida Today As federal regulators mull limits for a group of cancer-causing compounds, new tests keep finding these so-called "forever" chemicals in Brevard County and throughout Florida, sometimes at several orders of magnitude above what scientists think are safe. more

West Palm Beach pushes back, defends response to water crisis | WPTV West Palm Beach city leaders are pushing back against the Florida Department of Health in the wake of the city's recent water crisis. more

Gov. DeSantis And Florida Cabinet To Decide Ruling On Highway Across Everglades Wetlands | WLRN A 13-mile highway expansion over Everglades wetlands that an administrative law judge found violated Miami-Dade County’s comprehensive plan is back under review. more

Lake Okeechobee at lower risk of harmful algal blooms | Okeechobee News LAKE OKEECHOBEE – There's less risk of harmful algal blooms (HABs) on Lake Okeechobee now than in April and May, according to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District Commander Col. Andrew Kelly. more

Hurricane Hazards | South Dade News Leader NOAA - The primary hazards from hurricanes and tropical cyclones are more

New State Budget Includes $468K For Century Water Well Upgrades | North Escambia The $101.5 billion budget signed Wednesday by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis includes funding for water well upgrades in Century. more

Florida’s environment getting extra funding in the budget | News4Jax Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday signed a $101.5 billion budget for this fiscal year, including $41.5 million to combat climate change in Florida. more

Okeechobee Utility Authority testing for toxins in drinking water from Lake Okeechobee Algae | WPTV The Okeechobee Utility Authority is doing its own testing for potential toxins in its drinking water now that algae is visible on Lake Okeechobee. more
This Week in Water History
June 9, 2013: Celebration of Centennial of Activated Sludge Process. “On June 9-11, the Water Environment Federation convened the forum, “Activated Sludge on its 100th Birthday: Challenges and Opportunities.” The event was held at Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the first patent of the activated sludge process near Boston. The Activated Sludge process is still the heart of modern wastewater treatment systems around the globe and was a sea-change in the burgeoning field of wastewater treatment, permitting wastewater treatment to occur in a much smaller footprint, saving space and treatment time while protecting public and environmental health. In the past 100 years, the process has been updated, modified, and augmented, to improve treatment, remove nutrients, and do so more efficiently. However, more stringent demands and resources challenges are necessitating another look at the process that has been the backbone of modern sanitation infrastructure.”

To enjoy more opportunities to take a look at the past in water history, go to this link.
FLORIDA RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION | http://www.frwa.net
2970 Wellington Circle | Tallahassee FL 32309 | 850.668.8023 | Contact Us