Cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the United States’ water and wastewater infrastructure, especially among small and rural systems, have reached alarming levels, prompting warnings from federal agencies, water operators, and cybersecurity experts that malicious actors—including foreign nation-state actors and sophisticated cybercriminals—are increasingly targeting these critical systems; recent government testimony and regulatory alerts highlight that a growing number of water utilities have experienced cyber incidents, that basic cyber hygiene practices are widely lacking, and that inadequate federal support and inconsistent cybersecurity posture across nearly 170,000 water systems pose not only service disruptions but potential threats to public health and national security, spurring calls for enhanced risk assessments, enforcement of cybersecurity requirements, and sustained investment from both regulators and local operators.
Sources
https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/small-water-systems-vulnerable-to-cyber-attacks-operators-and-experts-warn-5980827
https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/enforcement-alert-drinking-water-systems-address-cybersecurity-vulnerabilities
https://smartwatermagazine.com/news/smart-water-magazine/senate-hearing-examines-growing-cybersecurity-risks-us-water-systems
https://cltc.berkeley.edu/publication/slashing-epa-funding-may-have-downstream-cybersecurity-impacts-on-an-already-vulnerable-water-sector
https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-24-106744
Key Takeaways
- Cyber incidents are increasing among U.S. water and wastewater utilities, with federal reports showing a measurable rise in the number of systems experiencing at least one cyber event over recent quarters, and witnesses before Congress stressing that antiquated infrastructure and resource constraints make small and rural systems especially vulnerable to sophisticated digital attacks.
- Basic cybersecurity practices are deficient across the sector, EPA “Enforcement Alerts” and Government Accountability Office analyses reveal that many water systems fail to implement foundational protections such as changing default passwords, conducting risk and resilience assessments, or maintaining updated incident response plans, leaving them exposed to adversaries who could disrupt water treatment, distribution, or safety monitoring.
- Federal support and regulatory enforcement are critical but currently uneven, lawmakers, experts, and watchdog reports point to inconsistent federal funding and guidance for water sector cybersecurity, highlighting the need for stronger enforcement of existing statutory requirements, expanded technical assistance, and sustained investment to help water utilities improve resilience against a landscape of evolving cyber threats.
In-Depth
In the landscape of U.S. critical infrastructure, water and wastewater systems are essential yet underappreciated pillars of public health, economic activity, and national security. Recent developments—spanning government testimony, regulatory alerts, and independent analyses—underscore a stark reality: these systems, particularly smaller ones serving rural communities, are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks that could have serious consequences for Americans’ access to safe drinking water and the reliability of sanitation services. While the cybersecurity threat landscape has long focused on sectors like energy and finance, the water sector’s growing digital footprint and the uneven application of cybersecurity protections have thrust it into the crosshairs of both domestic and foreign adversaries.
A report from February 2026 highlights testimony before a U.S. Senate panel in which water operators and cybersecurity experts laid bare the rising incidence of “cyber incidents” across America’s water and wastewater utilities. According to that testimony, nearly 14 percent of the nation’s roughly 170,000 water systems reported at least one cyber event over a recent three-month period, an increase from prior reporting periods. The operators emphasized that rural and small systems, which often lack dedicated cybersecurity personnel or robust defense tools, are poorly equipped to detect, deter, or respond to sophisticated electronic sabotage. Such systems typically rely on automated control technologies for treatment processes and distribution networks, making them appealing targets for threat actors seeking to disrupt critical services. The uptick in reported cyber incidents is not merely a statistical blip; it reflects a trend in which attackers probe and exploit weaknesses in industrial control systems, remote access configurations, and aging operational technology that remains unpatched or understaffed.
Federal regulators have been sounding the alarm for some time. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued enforcement alerts urging community water systems to address cybersecurity vulnerabilities, warning that adversaries—including nation-state actors—have targeted water and wastewater operations of all sizes. These alerts highlight concrete risks: cyberattacks could manipulate operational technology, disrupt treatment processes, contaminate water supplies, damage essential equipment, or compromise control systems, leading to serious repercussions for consumer safety and public confidence. Despite such warnings, EPA inspections have revealed widespread lapses in basic cybersecurity measures. Many systems fail to change default passwords, maintain accurate inventories of their information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) assets, or implement regular cybersecurity assessments. In some cases, systems continue to grant broad network access to former employees or use single login credentials, further weakening their defenses against intrusion.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has also weighed in, noting that cyberattacks on drinking water and wastewater systems could produce unsafe water conditions or disrupt service continuity. Their report details how threat actors—ranging from cybercriminals to foreign intelligence services—have targeted networked systems as they modernize and rely more on digital controls. These threats are compounded by the decentralization of the water sector, which includes tens of thousands of individually managed utilities with varied budgets, expertise, and technological maturity. While federal agencies have initiated programs to improve cybersecurity guidance and incident reporting, the GAO found that these efforts are hampered by voluntary participation and uneven adoption across the sector. The result is a patchwork of preparedness, where some systems are reasonably well protected while many others remain dangerously exposed.
A further dimension to the challenge is federal support. Analyses of funding and regulatory posture suggest that resources devoted to water sector cybersecurity are far from adequate. Cuts to EPA funding and cybersecurity personnel, combined with shifts in federal priorities, have raised concerns among watchdog groups that readiness efforts are being weakened precisely when threat actors are becoming more capable. Water systems are often forced to balance investment in cybersecurity with the imperative to meet regulatory requirements for safe and clean water delivery, making it difficult for smaller utilities with limited budgets to allocate sufficient resources toward defending digital assets. This resource imbalance is reflected in GAO findings showing that less than a quarter of water and wastewater utilities perform annual cyber risk assessments, a fundamental practice for identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
In congressional hearings, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have grappled with these realities, seeking strategies to fortify national water infrastructure against cyber threats. Witnesses before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee emphasized the uneven cybersecurity posture across the water sector, noting that while some larger utilities have the technical capacity to implement advanced protections, many smaller systems lack even basic safeguards. Testimony stressed the importance of expanding technical assistance programs, workforce development initiatives, and trusted intermediary support to help water utilities build resilient cyber defenses. Experts described efforts to develop scalable and “plug-and-play” cybersecurity frameworks aimed at delivering expertise to utilities that do not have in-house capabilities, thereby bridging critical gaps in defense. There was also an appeal for improved incident data collection and sharing, as the true scope of cyber threats remains obscured by limited reporting and fragmented visibility.
A recurring theme in these discussions is that water utilities, regardless of size, are interconnected components of the nation’s broader critical infrastructure. A successful cyberattack on one facility could undermine public trust, create cascading economic impacts, or even disrupt services beyond the immediate locality. The integration of digital control systems, while improving operational efficiency, has inadvertently expanded the attack surface available to adversaries. Remote access technologies, cloud-connected monitoring systems, and automated controllers—all essential for modern water operations—introduce vectors that ill-equipped utilities may struggle to defend. Because many of these systems share common vendor platforms and network architectures, vulnerabilities can be replicated across hundreds or thousands of facilities, creating a uniform target set for attackers conducting reconnaissance or launching coordinated campaigns.
The geopolitical dimension cannot be overlooked. Cyber threat actors linked to foreign governments have been observed targeting U.S. critical infrastructure, including water systems, as part of broader strategic campaigns. Whether driven by political objectives, espionage motives, or the desire to sow disruption, these actors exploit systemic weaknesses and stagnating cybersecurity practices. Recent decades have witnessed nation-state backed intrusions into energy, transportation, and utility sectors, and water infrastructure is increasingly added to that list of high-value targets. The growing sophistication of cyber tools, including malware designed to infiltrate industrial control systems and persist undetected, elevates the stakes for water operators. Even attacks that do not result in immediate service disruptions can have long-term consequences by eroding confidence in the safety and reliability of essential services.
To address these pressing challenges, a multi-layered approach is essential. Water utilities must prioritize the adoption of core cybersecurity practices, such as conducting regular risk assessments, maintaining updated asset inventories, and enforcing strict access controls. Simple measures like changing default passwords, segmenting networks, and developing incident response plans can significantly reduce exposure to common threats. Federal agencies and sector partners must continue to refine guidance, expand technical assistance, and support workforce training to build cyber expertise within the industry. Moreover, sustained investment in cybersecurity is crucial; systems should not be left to fend for themselves with voluntary measures alone. Policy discussions around funding mechanisms, enforcement of statutory requirements, and incentives for upgrading cyber defenses are central to advancing resilience across the water sector.
In a broader sense, the situation facing U.S. water systems reflects a national challenge: how to protect critical infrastructure in an era where digital connectivity is both an asset and a vulnerability. The water sector’s experience serves as a reminder that cybersecurity is not an abstract concept reserved for high-tech industries alone; it is a practical necessity for preserving public health, economic stability, and national security. As cyber threats continue to evolve, so too must the defenses that guard America’s essential services. Government, industry, and local operators must work in concert to ensure that safe and reliable water delivery is not compromised by threats that exploit outdated practices, resource constraints, or insufficient awareness.
Simplistic assumptions that water utilities are too small or insignificant to warrant serious cyber defenses are no longer tenable. The evidence is clear: cyber incidents are on the rise, basic protections are often absent, and the consequences of inaction could be profound. A coordinated effort that combines federal leadership, technical expertise, and local commitment can strengthen the cyber posture of America’s water systems, safeguarding a resource that is foundational to life and prosperity. Addressing these vulnerabilities today is not just prudent—it is essential for securing the nation’s future against the complex threats of the digital age.