US Water Utilities Face Cyberattacks; Puerto Rico Rationing Water

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Water utilities across the United States have been targeted by cyberattacks, with incidents reported in at least a dozen states since late July. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) had previously warned of Iranian hackers targeting internet-connected devices in water systems and the energy sector. The FBI stated that water and wastewater utility companies in at least seven states reported incidents, with some attacks degrading water operations. Cybersecurity experts suggest this widespread campaign could represent an escalation from previous opportunistic attacks. Meanwhile, in Puerto Rico, Governor Jenniffer González has ordered municipal governments to shut off water two days at a time for residents in the northeast, affecting 180,000 households. Many families have experienced more than 100 days without consistent water. Environmental lawyer Ruth Santiago stated that the primary issue is government mismanagement of water resources, not a lack of water, and that the island could harvest its abundant rainfall. Architects estimate Puerto Rico could collect 30 billion gallons of water annually if one million households adopted rainwater collection technology. In Johannesburg, South Africa, residents of Melville have endured over 50 days without water this year, leading to protests. The Commando water system, which serves Melville, was operating at 45% capacity. Johannesburg Water recorded an average of nearly 140 water pipe leaks per day between June 2025 and June 2026, and the city has spent at least R650-million over five years on water tankers.

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