Oak Hill, WV (WOAY)—The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is warning of a cybersecurity threat to public water systems.
The agency says 70 percent of the water utilities it inspected don’t meet the Safe Drinking Water Act standards to prevent attacks.
Some of the issues include outdated passwords and easily compromised login information.
EPA and national security officials say letters have been sent to governors across the u-s about the threats and the importance of taking action to repair the issues and create stronger cyber security protections.
West Virginia’s Public Service Commission has opened investigations into cyber attacks on water and sewage systems statewide.
All water and sewer systems must get a cyber threat vulnerability assessment within the next 60 days.
The Department of Homeland Security will conduct assessments at no cost.
Officials say China, Russia, and Iran have all already disrupted water systems with cyberattacks.
