Summary
Cyberattacks on US water systems are rising fast, nearly 100 are flagged as high-risk and China-linked hackers targeting infrastructure. Learn what’s happening—and how to protect your water supply now.
- Are US Water Systems under Cyberattack?
- What Is Happening to US Water Systems?
- Who Is in Danger of Cyberattacks on Water Systems?
- How to Tell If Your Water Is Unsafe
- Don’t Wait. Prepare Now.
Are US Water Systems under Cyberattack?
Cyberattacks on US water systems are no longer hypothetical—they’re happening.
With the EPA warning that nearly 100 public water systems are critically vulnerable, and China-linked hackers targeting US infrastructure, the threat is real and growing.
According to the U.S. Water Alliance, just one day without clean water could cost over $43.5 billion in economic losses.
If you don’t control your water, someone else might.
Read on to learn what’s really happening to America’s water—and how to make sure your family isn’t caught off guard.
What Is Happening to US Water Systems?
Cyberattacks are being aimed at critical infrastructures that could cripple the nation and hurt Americans.
For example, according to USA Today, “An EPA review this year found that 70% of U.S. water companies were vulnerable to attack.”
“Cyberattacks represent one of the most significant threats to our Nation’s water and wastewater utilities and to the communities, business, hospitals, and other critical infrastructure sectors,” explains EPA spokesperson Dominique Joseph.
In November 2024, the House Committee on Homeland Security released a new “Cyber Threat Snapshot.”
According to the Cyber Threat Snapshot, “cyberattacks on critical infrastructure increased 30 percent globally last year.”
According to an EPA Enforcement Alert from May 2024, “Cyberattacks against CWSs [community water systems] are increasing in frequency and severity across the country. Based on actual incidents we know that a cyberattack on a vulnerable water system may allow an adversary to manipulate operational technology, which could cause significant adverse consequences for both the utility and drinking water consumers. Possible impacts include disrupting the treatment, distribution, and storage of water for the community, damaging pumps and valves, and altering the levels of chemicals to hazardous amounts.”
Moreover, “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identified 97 drinking water systems serving approximately 26.6 million users as having either critical or high-risk cybersecurity vulnerabilities.”
We are not fearmongering.
These are government entities warning us of what is coming.
This is a real concern for all Americans.
Who Is in Danger of Cyberattacks on Water Systems?
What many Americans fail to realize is that cybercriminals aren’t just targeting the US government.
They’re going after private targets.
With an estimated 89% of critical infrastructure in the US controlled by private companies—this should worry every single one of us.
This means individual communities and smaller organizations, such as local water systems, are at major risk of cyberattacks.
Help Net Security explains, “Water systems are often more vulnerable than other types of critical infrastructure, largely because they’re more likely to be municipally owned or operated by smaller utility providers. Years of underinvestment have left those smaller providers without the resources to modernize, hire new staff, or invest in stronger cybersecurity capabilities.”
Consider what happened in February 2021 when a computer hacker gained access to the computer system for the public water supply in Pinellas County, Florida.
Jeff Pegues explains, “The hacker was controlling the computer system's mouse— opening various functions on the screen and changing the sodium hydroxide in the water supply from about 100 parts per million to more than 11,100 parts per million.”
Sodium hydroxide is also known as lye, which is found in drain cleaners.
Moreover, America’s adversaries are intentionally hacking into utilities.
Help Net Security reports, “A public utility in Littleton, MA, was recently compromised by a group linked to Volt Typhoon, the Chinese state-sponsored threat group. […] Researchers found that nearly 60% of attacks were carried out by nation-state groups.”
Recently, the Washington Post released a report that revealed that China’s cyber army has already been invading critical US infrastructures.
The article states, “The Chinese military is ramping up its ability to disrupt key American infrastructure, including power and water utilities as well as communications and transportation systems, according to U.S. officials and industry security officials. Hackers affiliated with China’s People’s Liberation Army have burrowed into the computer systems of about two dozen critical entities over the past year.”
How to Tell If Your Water Is Unsafe
Given the seriousness of potential cyberattacks on public water systems, we should be careful when it comes to drinking straight from the tap.
When it comes to determining if your water is safe to drink, trust your senses.
If it has a weird smell or looks funny, don’t drink it!
Here are some other signs that your water may be contaminated:
- Cloudy water
- Difficulty getting clothes cleaned while washing them, forcing you to use more detergent
- Weird feeling on the skin after bathing
- Dirty, colored water (such as yellow, brown, or orange)
- Green or blue-tinted water
- Strong smell (bleach may mean too much chlorine, rotten eggs could mean hydrogen sulfide, and fish could mean barium or cadmium)
- A metallic taste
Unfortunately, many contaminants are not detected using our senses.
This is why it is imperative to take heed of your local water system’s warnings.
Don’t Wait. Prepare Now.
Sadly, it is not only cyberattacks on public water systems we have to worry about.
Public water systems are often impacted by natural disasters.
The EPA explains, “Natural disasters such as floods, drought, hurricanes, winter storms, and earthquakes can disrupt access to clean drinking water. These events can result in any number of types of water service disruptions, including pipe breaks and leaks; power outages; infrastructure failure; reduced water quality; loss of access to facilities and supplies; as well as financial, social, environmental, and health consequences.”
Additionally, according to The Guardian, “Millions of people continue to face serious water quality problems because of contamination, deteriorating infrastructure, and inadequate treatment at water plants.”
There is a very real possibility that the water coming out of our faucet is unsafe.
Rather than waiting for the dreaded “Boil Water Advisory,” invest in water preparedness tools today.
We recommend the following:
-
The Alexapure Pro Water Filter System: The Alexapure Pro is a powerful gravity-powered water filtration system. It reduces up to 99.9999% of 206 contaminants, targeting heavy metals, lead, fluoride, chlorine, viruses, bacteria, pesticides & pharmaceuticals.
- Chlorine Dioxide Water Treatment Drops: Adding just a few drops to your stored water, you can prevent mold, bacteria, and other contaminants from spoiling your precious H20.
- Emergency Water Storage: In addition to water filtration devices and cleaning supplies, it is also important to have a stash of emergency water for when you need clean water but don’t have time or the ability to filter it.
Be water ready, friends.
In liberty,
Elizabeth Anderson
