SC Rural Water Association - SCRWA

Change default passwords immediately!

As a best practice and in light of recent analysis of this cyber activity targeting water and wastewater systems, the National Rural Water Cybersecurity Center recommends that utilities change default passwords, especially for public-facing, internet-connected devices that can control operational technology systems or processes. Access to these devices is often set to default or easily guessable passwords, including credentials that can be identified using publicly available tools and resources.

Utilities should establish and enforce a strict policy requiring all manufacturer-default passwords to be replaced on hardware, software, and firmware before those assets are connected to any internal or external network. This requirement should also apply to IT assets that support operational technology environments, including OT administration web pages.

Utilities should require passwords or phrases of at least 15 characters for all password-protected IT assets and operational technology assets when technically feasible. Consider including a combination of non-repeating and non-sequential uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Contact your IT staff or integrator to change default passwords immediately. To be connected with a DEF CON Franklin cybersecurity expert volunteer for free cybersecurity assistance, contact [email protected].

It's never too late to start something new! SCRWA's Apprenticeship Program can help if you are just starting out or if you want to change fields. Let us help you!

nrwa_clayton_case_study_sm_shorts_2 (1080p) This is "nrwa_clayton_case_study_sm_shorts_2 (1080p)" by National Rural Water Association on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

IT'S EXPO WEEK! We look forward to seeing everyone at our Equipment & Operators EXPO Thursday at the South Carolina State Farmers Market Carolina State Farmers Market!
We'll have training, vendors, competitions (Backhoe Rodeo, Line Tapping, Leak Repair, Meter Madness, Hydrant Hysteria, Vac Truck Challenge & Fastest Cut), lunch from Lizard's Thicket and Handel's Forest Acres ice cream! Competition winners will take home a medal, cash & bragging rights!
We will also have the semis & finals of the Pre-Apprenticeship co****le tournament! You don't want to miss this event!

Details are on our website: https://www.scrwa.org/2026-expo.html

Last week, our own Jill Miller spoke at the 2026 Rural Water Policy Forum in Washington, DC hosted by National Rural Water Association (NRWA). During the event, four panels comprised of industry professionals and leaders discussed voluntary regionalization for rural water systems, the viability and sustainability of small and rural water systems, and how federal policy can support these efforts. Way to go, Jill!

Congratulations to the Pre-Apprenticeship Co****le Tournament regional teams who will advance to the semi-finals and finals!

Lowcountry Champions - Team from Saluda County Water & Sewer Authority: Jason Fell & Ben Rushton

Upstate Champions - Team from Belton Honea Path: Gavin Mitchell & Jonathan Lee

P*e Dee Champions: Kobie Ellisor with Clearwater Solutions & Matt Klein with Delta Bravo

Midlands Champions - Team from Saluda County Water & Sewer Authority: Ben Rushton & Andrew Whittle.

MANY THANKS to our SPONSORS!!
Title Sponsor: ServLine by HomeServe USA
Tournament Sponsor: CoBank
Regional Sponsors: Big Rock Pipeline, Ameris Bank, Laurens County Water & Sewer (LCWSC), Delta Bravo, Aqua Smart, Inc., McWane Ductile and Lancaster County Water and Sewer District