The US Department of Justice has indicted today a Kansas man on charges of hacking into the computer system of a local water utility and trying to sabotage water processing operations with the intent to harm the local public.

According to court documents, the incident took place on March 27, 2019, and involved Wyatt Travnichek, 22, of Ellsworth County, Kansas.

DOJ officials claim that Travnichek hacked into the computer network of the Ellsworth Rural Water District No. 1, also known as Post Rock Rural Water District, where he “performed activities that shut down the processes at the facility which affect the facilities cleaning and disinfecting procedures with the intention of harming the Ellsworth Rural Water District No. 1.”

The court documents don’t say if Travnichek’s attack was successful or how it was detected; however, officials said that the suspect worked for the water district for a year, from January 2018 to January 2019, when he resigned.

“By illegally tampering with a public drinking water system, the defendant threatened the safety and health of an entire community,” said Lance Ehrig, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division in Kansas.

“EPA and its law enforcement partners are committed to upholding the laws designed to protect our drinking water systems from harm or threat of harm. Today’s indictment sends a clear message that individuals who intentionally violate these laws will be vigorously prosecuted.”

Suspect faces up to 25 years in prison

If found guilty, Travnichek risks up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for computer hacking charges, and up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for tampering with a public water system.

Travnichek’s indictment comes almost two months after a similar incident was reported in Oldsmar, Florida, a city in Tampa’s metropolitan area.

Days before the Super Bowl LV game was set to be played in Tampa, a yet-to-be-identified hacker similarly broke into the Oldsmar water treatment plant’s computer network via its TeamViewer remote management software and attempted to poison the water by adding extra sodium hydroxide (lye) into the water treatment process.

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BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The federal government is suing a small Idaho town near Grand Teton National Park for dumping toxic waste from its sewage treatment plant into a stream that feeds several scenic rivers in the region.

The lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Justice was filed in Idaho’s U.S. District Court on Monday.

The federal government contends the city of Driggs violated the Clean Water Act by dumping effluent with too much ammonia or violating other wastewater rules more than 2,600 times over the last seven years.

In written statement, the city of Driggs said the lawsuit was a positive development because it will allow the EPA and city officials to work together to come up with solutions.

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Are you serious about wanting to be considered a professional?  If you are, this certification may be of interest to you. 

Kim Parker, LeAnna Risso and Kathy Weinsaft recently did a class about this certification.  We have posted our presentation on both the DEQ Operator Certification Website and the WARWS Website.  Check it out and if you are interested for more information contact Kim Or Kathy. 

Professional Operator Certification 2023 

Presentations from December 23 virtual mini-conference.

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CHEYENNE - Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon proclaimed this week, Feb. 6-13, as the Wyoming Professional Water and Wastewater Operator Appreciation Week. The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) is joining him in honoring these essential professionals.

Water treatment, water distribution, wastewater collection and wastewater treatment operators are professionals who are vital to Wyoming. They protect public health by ensuring that our drinking water is safe and pure.

They protect our Wyoming lakes and rivers by removing pollutants from our wastewater. Certified operators are also essential to correctly operate and maintain the water and wastewater infrastructure that supports our communities and readies them for future growth.

According to Kim Parker, operator certification coordinator for the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, this week was chosen because Feb. 5, 1975, was the day Wyoming’s first operator certification rule was created.

“It’s important that we recognize these professionals and the vital role that they play in safeguarding our health and protecting our environment,” Parker said. “They also protect the investment Wyoming’s taxpayers have made in our water and wastewater infrastructure by operating facilities correctly.”

According to Parker, most people are not even aware of how many things a certified operator needs to do. Not only do they need to know how to correctly operate and maintain the water or wastewater treatment facilities, and the distribution or collection systems, they need to excel at customer service, reporting to elected officials and meeting regulatory requirements.  

“Not many professions demand such widely varied skills. Professional operators contribute greatly to the high quality of life that we enjoy here in Wyoming,” Parker added.

Wyoming has about 1,700 operators that work at 434 facilities.  

Click here to view the proclamation

Contact WARWS

WARWS
PO Box 1750
Glenrock, WY 82637
Phone 307-436-8636
Fax 307-436-8441
Equal Opportunity Provider
TDD 1-800-877-9965

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