How prepared are you for the growing challenges of cybersecurity in water utilities?

In this episode of the Utility Emergency Response Podcast, host Isaac Alatorre sits down with Kevin M. Morley, PhD — Manager of Federal Relations at the American Water Works Association, and Cris Pérez — Director of Technology Services at Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency, to explore how water utilities can strengthen cybersecurity, manage risk, and maintain compliance under the America's Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA).

Together, they share real-world strategies for strengthening cybersecurity, managing risks, and improving emergency response plans across all utility sizes.

Whether you manage a large system or a small rural utility, this conversation delivers insights and tools to help you prepare, protect, and adapt. Get actionable insights on building resilience, addressing evolving cyber threats, and creating proactive response systems that protect critical infrastructure.

What You'll Learn

• How cybersecurity in water utilities impacts compliance and resilience

• Key AWIA requirements for risk and emergency response planning

• Proactive steps to prevent and respond to cyber threats

• How smaller utilities can strengthen infrastructure defenses

• The growing role of collaboration and technology in water system security

Want to go deeper?

Join upcoming AWWA workshops to learn how to strengthen your utility's cybersecurity posture and apply Cyber-Informed Engineering in real-world operations.

AWWA Cybersecurity Guidance: https://www.awwa.org/cybersecurity

AWWA Cyber-Informed Engineering: https://www.awwa.org/CIE

About Isaac Alatorre:

Chairman & Emergency Pipeline Advisor for Water, Wastewater, and Flood Management.

A UC Irvine graduate and beginning his career in safety and emergency supplies, Isaac was trained by David Jackson on all things related to PPS. With the help of his predecessor, he has updated PPS in regard to technology and processes. He believes that PPS has just started to make an impact.

PPS has usually been a West Coast company, but now Isaac believes that PPS can help utilities across the globe with PPS many applications. Not only with pipelines but with emergency response awareness as a whole. He enjoys sports, whiskey, and food.

Meet Your Co Host: James Wollbrinck | Director and Principal of METISIS LLC

James (Jim) Wollbrinck is the Managing Director and Principal of METISIS LLC in San Jose, CA. With 35 years of experience in the water industry, he has developed key programs and partnerships in Emergency Management, Business Continuity, and Physical Security Operations for San Jose Water Co. He has also led company and employee preparedness programs, focusing on Gap Analysis and Business Continuity.

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This Podcast Is Produced, Engineered & Edited By: Simplified Impact

Want to know what really happened during the Los Angeles Water Outage 2025?

In this episode, Isaac Alatorre breaks down how a pipeline valve failure left 9,200 Granada Hills and Porter Ranch residents without water. From underground repair challenges to emergency response lessons, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at how crews battled one of LA's toughest utility crises.

Highlights in this episode:

• On Aug 5, 2025, a valve failure cut water for 9,200 Los Angeles customers.

• Repairs were delayed by tangled underground pipelines and poor records.

• Isaac shares how portable hose systems could speed up future responses.

About Isaac Alatorre:

Chairman & Emergency Pipeline Advisor for Water, Wastewater, and Flood Management.

A UC Irvine graduate and beginning his career in safety and emergency supplies, Isaac was trained by David Jackson on all things related to PPS. With the help of his predecessor, he has updated PPS in regard to technology and processes. He believes that PPS has just started to make an impact.

PPS has usually been a West Coast company, but now Isaac believes that PPS can help utilities across the globe with PPS many applications. Not only with pipelines but with emergency response awareness as a whole. He enjoys sports, whiskey, and food.

Meet Your Co Host: James Wollbrinck | Director and Principal of METISIS LLC

James (Jim) Wollbrinck is the Managing Director and Principal of METISIS LLC in San Jose, CA. With 35 years of experience in the water industry, he has developed key programs and partnerships in Emergency Management, Business Continuity, and Physical Security Operations for San Jose Water Co. He has also led company and employee preparedness programs, focusing on Gap Analysis and Business Continuity.

Subscribe To The Podcast

Apple Podcast | YouTube | Spotify

Connect With The Show:

Facebook | Linkedin | Website

This Podcast Is Produced, Engineered & Edited By: Simplified Impact

Public safety is evolving—and technology is leading the way.

In this episode of the Utility Emergency Response Podcast, Joe Abrams from the Alliance for Community Solutions (ACS) joins Isaac and Jim as he shares how smart, practical tools are making schools, polling sites, and communities safer and more prepared.

From the Ballot Box Defender for election site security, to the Brown Box for school safety, and My Nexus for water conservation—Joe explains how technology is creating real change where it matters most.

Tune in to learn how innovation is strengthening public safety, one community at a time.

Episode Highlights:

• How ACS uses technology to solve local emergency response challenges
  
  

• Ballot Box Defender helps keep polling places secure with quick alerts to law enforcement
  
  

• Brown Box provides tools for schools and courthouses to respond to active shooter situations
  
  

• My Nexus helps save water by alerting residents to possible leaks
  
  

• Joe Abrams shares how community collaboration drives smarter, safer solutions

About Isaac Alatorre:

Chairman & Emergency Pipeline Advisor for Water, Wastewater, and Flood Management.

A UC Irvine graduate and beginning his career in safety and emergency supplies, Isaac was trained by David Jackson on all things related to PPS. With the help of his predecessor, he has updated PPS in regard to technology and processes. He believes that PPS has just started to make an impact.

PPS has usually been a West Coast company, but now Isaac believes that PPS can help utilities across the globe with PPS many applications. Not only with pipelines but with emergency response awareness as a whole. He enjoys sports, whiskey, and food.

Meet Your Co Host: James Wollbrinck | Director and Principal of METISIS LLC

James (Jim) Wollbrinck is the Managing Director and Principal of METISIS LLC in San Jose, CA. With 35 years of experience in the water industry, he has developed key programs and partnerships in Emergency Management, Business Continuity, and Physical Security Operations for San Jose Water Co. He has also led company and employee preparedness programs, focusing on Gap Analysis and Business Continuity.

Subscribe To The Podcast

Apple Podcast | YouTube | Spotify

Connect With The Show:

Facebook | Linkedin | Website

This Podcast Is Produced, Engineered & Edited By: Simplified Impact