Cyberattack Forces Kansas Water Plant Offline: Authorities Investigate

A recent cyberattack on the water treatment facility in Arkansas City, Kansas, compelled local authorities to shift operations to manual control. The incident occurred on the morning of September 22 and was promptly reported to the appropriate agencies. The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are currently conducting an investigation.

City Manager Randy Frazer affirmed that the city’s water supply system is functioning normally, with no threats to water safety. He noted that the transition to manual control was undertaken purely as a precaution to prevent any potential disruptions at the plant.

Cybersecurity experts are working diligently to mitigate the aftermath of the attack and restore automated operations. Authorities assure that enhanced protective measures have been implemented, and no changes in the quality or availability of water services are anticipated.

Nevertheless, residents were informed of temporary issues with water pumps, which resulted in reduced water pressure in certain areas of the city over the past weekend.

Ironically, the incident transpired just two days after a warning issued by the nonprofit Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (WaterISAC), which alerted to possible cyberattacks on water systems.

Furthermore, a day prior, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released recommendations to bolster the cybersecurity of water and wastewater systems, urging operators to adopt additional measures to thwart attacks.

In the past, the U.S. water supply sector has repeatedly faced cyberattacks, including those from hacker groups linked to Iran and China. Previous incidents have not only caused upheaval in IT departments but have led to complete shutdowns of water supply systems in several American states.