Customer Data at Risk
American Water Works, a major water and wastewater utility serving over 14 million people, announced on Monday that it had been hacked. The company took immediate action to shut down certain systems and protect customer data, but the full impact of the breach remains unknown.
The unauthorized activity was first detected on Thursday, prompting American Water Works to take protective measures. While the company believes its facilities and operations were not directly affected, it acknowledges that the full impact of the incident is still being assessed.
As a precaution, the company's customer portal service, MayWater, has been taken offline. American Water Works has also assured customers that no late charges will be applied while these systems are unavailable.
"In an effort to protect our customers' data and to prevent any further harm to our environment, we disconnected or deactivated certain systems," an American Water spokesperson explained. "There will be no late charges for customers while these systems are unavailable."
The company is actively investigating the incident with the assistance of law enforcement. It has also notified relevant authorities and is cooperating fully with their investigation.
American Water Works is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States, providing services to over 14 million people across 14 states and 18 military installations. The company manages over 500 water and wastewater systems in approximately 1,700 communities.
Following the news of the hack, American Water Works' stock price dropped by 3.9% on Monday. However, it recovered slightly on Tuesday, rising by 0.5%.
This incident highlights the growing concern over cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure, including water treatment facilities. U.S. officials have recently expressed concerns about alleged attempts by Chinese intelligence officers to breach such networks.