Cyberattacks targeting municipal water and wastewater facilities have been detected across at least 12 states, according to sources speaking to ABC News. Although Iran is suspected of launching the attacks, its direct involvement has not been officially confirmed. To date, the attacks have not caused any widespread interruptions to public water supplies or wastewater treatment processes.
The FBI, which is leading the nationwide investigation, is advising utility operators to disconnect sensitive equipment from the internet, implement physical breakers and ensure staff can switch to manual controls if automated networks are compromised. In Michigan, state police and environmental officials confirmed that local operators quickly resolved the issues without any threat to public health, and state agencies are actively working with municipal utilities to secure their software against further vulnerabilities.
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Washington Launches Public Dashboard for Sewage Spill Tracking
The Washington Department of Ecology recently launched a website to track and update the public on sewage spills from permitted wastewater treatment plants across the state. Mandated by the 2025 Sewage Spill Public Notice Law, the online tool provides immediate transparency by detailing the location, duration, estimated volume and treatment level of each incident.
According to the department's communications team, the tracker monitors instances where untreated or undertreated wastewater escapes its correct pipe. While the new dashboard offers a look into local environmental data, the department cautions that residents should still rely on their local health agencies for official advisories.
Researchers Find Algal Blooms Cause Plastics to Break Apart
Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have discovered that algal blooms actually speed up the breakdown of discarded plastics into microplastics. Using water collected from a campus pond, a team simulated algal bloom conditions to observe their effect on low-density polyethylene.
Published recently in the journal Water Research, the study demonstrates that the biological activity of these combined microbes directly drives the degradation process.
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