Members of Congress in Washington, D.C., are stressing the impacts of China’s growing cyber threats across the United States, but are especially concerned about one unusual target—Americans’ water systems.
Amid rising tensions between China and the United States over trade, technology, military influence, and national security, U.S. officials warn that China’s technological capabilities and economic strength enable cyber operations at an unprecedented scale.
During a House Science, Space and Technology Committee hearing last week, members addressed how China-linked cybersecurity threats are compromising water infrastructure systems across the country, but especially in Texas.
“Recent cyberattacks on water utilities in my home state of Texas highlight the growing threat facing critical infrastructure across the country,” Chairman and Representative Brian Babin (R-TX) said at the hearing.
According to Rep. Babin, Texas has fallen victim to Chinese-related hacking efforts before. In 2024, a water system in Muleshoe, Texas, was reportedly hacked, leading to thousands of gallons of water spilling into the streets after attackers manipulated the city’s control systems, he said.
“What concerns me is not just that these systems are being targeted, but how unevenly prepared they are to respond,” Rep. Babin said, adding that nearly all community water systems in the country have limited technical staff.
But, with recent cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Rep. Christian Menefee (D-TX) said the EPA lacks the resources to fully address this growing threat, leaving communities in Texas even more vulnerable.
“What might sound like a far-off Washington issue is actually a very real threat to communities like Houston,” Rep. Menefee said.
Rep. Babin also stressed that these facilities don’t have the funding to implement adequate cybersecurity measures.
“Many rely on decades-old industrial control systems designed when cyberwarfare was more science fiction than a real-world threat,” Rep. Babin said. “Others depend on third-party contractors for maintenance and software updates, creating additional points of entry for attackers.”
Rep. Menefee said cities with aging water infrastructure, like Houston, need stronger federal investment and coordination with local officials to defend systems from foreign cyber threats.
“Millions of people depend on water systems every single day, and we cannot afford to ignore the growing cyber threats targeting this critical infrastructure,” Rep. Menefee said.
Rep. Babin said innovation in automation, artificial intelligence and anomaly detection could help identify threats earlier, but warned those tools could create new vulnerabilities if not implemented properly.
“Research will be critical to ensuring cybersecurity is incorporated into the design of new technologies intended to address existing vulnerabilities and improve system efficiency,” Rep. Babin said.
