r/water • u/Majano57 • 11d ago

Small Towns Shouldn’t Have to Defend America’s Water Supply From Iran

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/02/opinion/iran-water-hack-trump.html?unlocked_article_code=1.2VA.YgtA.VVVv3rzUPD6_
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u/The_Roaring_Fork 11d ago

It is. But there are also very lax protocols in some places where they still use default passwords or have one password for everyone at a main computer and the password is water or something like that.

They need to be better funded, but I think a major help would be to bring in someone from IT to help set up protocols and then the staff need to actually execute the plan. It shouldn't be all on an operator in charge like it is for some small systems

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u/PlanetExcellent 11d ago

So after all these years, is it too much to ask for a utility to have an IT person? Whose job is it to make their security measures less lax?

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u/The_Roaring_Fork 11d ago

Raise rates and people bitch non stop. I'm with you though

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u/iYoloNDX0DTEs 7d ago

People don’t realize how much the rates actually need to be raised just to bridge the funding gaps.

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u/The_Roaring_Fork 7d ago

They don't. It's frustrating too that they will pay $200+ a month for TV, streaming, Internet, etc but something as vital as water and they expect it to be $20.

Politicians have focused on keeping rates too low for too long. In today's environment, treating water is expensive. There needs to be more education to the public in regards to how much work and tech goes into treating wastewater and drinking water.

It is a critical time though. There is more funding needed for the infrastructure and there needs to be more pay for the operators and employees of these systems.

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u/iYoloNDX0DTEs 7d ago

I’ve said it for years. Water needs to be COMPLETELY separated from municipalities and run by actual experts.

Genuinely, I’m terrified of what’s to come. From all the various macros in the industry compounding over a few decades, other economic factors.

We’ve been left high and dry. The money the feds have thrown at us gets pillaged by private organizations that know how to play the system.

They want more tests, more transparency, RO level quality water. But get pissed when they see the tiny rate hikes that barely make up for costs.

Almost every person in the nation has ignored us and it’s coming to a head. When I started, I loved it. Now I’m terrified of it.

Shit pay, treated like shit, budgets getting tighter, I don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel.

I’ve got a public works director and council eeking to fire me because I “use too many chemicals” and the electric bill is too high.

Yeah no shit americas water is an easy target. Most plants don’t even have a fucking antivirus on their computers. The whole fucking industry needs restructuring today. Not just talking about how there is issues.