American Water Works Cyberattack Disrupts Billing, Raises Infrastructure Security Concerns

American Water Works Hit by Cyberattack, Disrupting Billing Systems

American Water Works, a major water and wastewater utility serving over 14 million people, announced a cyberattack on its systems on Monday. The company has temporarily paused billing due to the incident.

The unauthorized activity was detected on Thursday, prompting American Water Works to take protective measures, including shutting down certain systems. While the company believes its facilities and operations remain unaffected, the full impact of the attack is still being assessed.

"To protect our customers' data and prevent further harm, we've disconnected or deactivated certain systems," an American Water Works spokesperson explained. "As a result, there will be no late charges while these systems are unavailable."

The company is actively investigating the incident with the assistance of law enforcement.

American Water Works, the largest regulated water and wastewater utility in the U.S., provides services to over 14 million people across 14 states and 18 military installations. It manages over 500 water and wastewater systems in approximately 1,700 communities.

Following the announcement, American Water Works' stock price dropped by 3.9%, closing at $136.99.

The incident highlights growing concerns about cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure, including water treatment facilities. U.S. officials have recently expressed concerns about alleged attempts by Chinese intelligence to breach such networks. Additionally, a cyberattack on U.S. broadband providers has been linked to the Chinese government.