Foreign Hackers Breach 2 Colorado Water Utilities, Altering Controls for 400 People
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 18
Foreign Hackers Breach 2 Colorado Water Utilities, Altering Controls for 400 People
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 18
Summary
Two small Colorado water systems serving about 400 people were hacked last month, with intruders changing pumping cycles, disabling alarms and altering equipment settings before operators restored control.
Colorado officials said drinking water quality and treatment were not affected, but the breaches showed attackers could reach operational technology controlling pumps, valves and other physical equipment.
More than 100 drinking water and wastewater systems across 12 states have been hit this year, the EPA said, after federal agencies warned in July that internet-connected controllers were being remotely accessed and tampered with.
EPA said it has identified 900-plus vulnerabilities at more than 650 water systems since fiscal 2025 and has urged utilities—especially smaller ones—to remove exposed controllers from the internet and tighten access controls.