By William Akoto, American University School of International ServiceA 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. Reports thus far indicate that hackers accessed the Minnesota water systems through controllers that communicate over the internet directly. A matter of resourcesRural water utilities with limited resources are a significant vulnerability in the United States’ critical infrastructure.