A July 2026 cyberattack targeted more than 30 water systems in Minnesota municipalities, including Plymouth. AP Photo/Ellen SchmidtHackers tried to break into at least 30 municipal water systems in Minnesota on July 26-27, 2026. Controlling the water machineryThere are about 152,000 public drinking water systems in the United States, according to the federal government. A matter of resourcesRural water utilities with limited resources are a significant vulnerability in the United States’ critical infrastructure. A group of volunteer cybersecurity experts is providing guidance to water utilities, but their reach is limited.