Two unnamed municipal water systems in New Jersey recently were targeted by cyberattacks, leaving their automated management platforms temporarily disabled. State cybersecurity officials alongside federal partners at the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency identified the breaches as exploiting internet-exposed control systems.
In both instances, facility operators acted quickly to shift to manual controls, preventing any service disruptions or public health threats while officials secured the systems with reinforced access controls. Federal and state investigators suspect Iran or Iranian-aligned hackers are behind the intrusions, which mirror recent cyberattacks against water infrastructure across at least a dozen states.
Drinking Water Costs Outpace Inflation Nationwide, Says Report
Drinking water prices across the United States surged faster than inflation, grocery prices and median household income over the past decade, according to a recent report by the nonprofit Food & Water Watch. Analyzing 2025 water billing data from the nation's 500 largest community water systems (serving over 155 million people) researchers found that the average annual household drinking water bill jumped 62% between 2015 and 2025, rising from $336 to $531.
While states like Louisiana, Maryland, and New Hampshire saw particularly steep rate increases relative to income, California dominated the high-cost spectrum, accounting for over half of the 25 most expensive water systems in the study. Read more in the report here.
Baltimore Taps Susquehanna River Amid Prolonged Regional Drought
Beginning Oct. 5, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works began drawing water from the Susquehanna River to supplement declining levels at two of its reservoirs. The river water is being blended with Loch Raven supplies before undergoing standard treatment and rigorous testing at nearby filtration plants to ensure it meets all federal and state drinking safety standards.
Local water directors reaffirmed that while tapping the river helps preserve regional reservoir reserves, it does not end the underlying drought. Authorities are urging residents and businesses to continue voluntary water conservation practices.
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