Published 1:12 pm Friday, August 7, 2026
Photo of a water tap courtesy of Kentucky Today
FRANKFORT – While cyber attacks on municipal water systems have been reported over the past several weeks in at least 12 states, Kentucky officials say none have taken place here.
According to a story that appeared in The Conversation, hackers tried to break into at least 30 municipal water systems in Minnesota on July 26-27. Since then, Michigan, New Jersey and ther states have reported similar cyber-attacks.
They did not try to infiltrate the computers that utility offices use. Instead, they tried to seize control of small computers in equipment, like pumps and valves, that deliver drinking water to millions of people.
The utilities countered by shutting down the control computers and sending personnel out into the field to operate equipment manually. Utility officials have said that water remained safe to drink.
Some suspect Iran is behind the attacks, including Gov. Andy Beshear, who said while no systems in Kentucky have been hacked, it’s part of a larger issue.
He said, “Iran is trying to attack our systems. Whether it’s our UI [unemployment insurance] system, or others on a daily basis. Now, that’s one of my concerns with some in Washington trying to turn American against Americans and talking about the enemy within. The enemy is out there. Iran, North Korea, China, Russia; working every day with buildings full of hackers to harm us in all different types of ways.”
Beshear noted he hopes the water system hacking serves as a wake-up call about how damaging it could be. He added, “There is a real threat that is out there. Even look at how they’ve infiltrated social media, with thousands if not millions of bots, that like the most divisive content, to make it seem like all Americans are at each other’s throats, because they know thet can never take us down as a country.”
He concluded, “I think this is a real example of a threat that faces the United States and I hope this causes a level of patriotism that brings us back to being Americans first, and Democrats and Republicans third, fourth, ninth or 12th.”
Robin Hartman with the Energy and Environment Cabinet issued a statement confirming the Governor’s remarks. “Team Kentucky continues to work with our local partners to ensure the safety and resiliency of our drinking water systems across the Commonwealth. No systems in Kentucky were impacted during last week’s cyber-attack.”
