Hackers targeted municipal water systems in 7 states this week, FBI saysThe federal warning comes after more than 30 water facilities in Minnesota were breached.
July 31, 2026, 9:54 AM EDT / Updated July 31, 2026, 4:58 PM EDT
By Daniel Arkin, Michael Kosnar and Ben Goggin
NBC NewsCyberattacks targeting municipal water systems have been reported in at least seven states this week, prompting the FBI and the Environmental Protection Agency to warn utilities nationwide that hackers are trying to disrupt critical water infrastructure.
In a public service announcement Thursday, the agencies said water and wastewater utilities have reported incidents to the FBI, with some malicious activity degrading water operations. The announcement does not name the states.
The warning comes after hackers targeted more than 30 municipal water facilities in Minnesota in an attack that had hallmarks of Iranian meddling, according to a law enforcement official. It is still under investigation. ...
President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters Friday at Camp David, blamed Minnesota’s leaders and Gov. Tim Walz, who was the Democratic vice presidential nominee in the 2024 election.
“I think I blame it on Minnesota because they’re grossly incompetent,” Trump said. “I would blame it on Minnesota and the governor, the corrupt governor of Minnesota. They like to say, ‘Oh, it’s Iran.’ Iran should be so lucky. Iran’s got bigger problems than worrying about Minnesota.”
In response to a request for comment, Walz said in part: “Trump knows exactly who is responsible for this attack, and knows that other states were hit too. This is what modern warfare looks like, and it further illustrates there’s no plan to win a war with Iran.” ...
