Hackers breach, attempt to poison Florida city’s water supply

Officials announced Monday that a hacker had breached and attempted to poison the water supply for the city of Oldsmar, Fla. late last week.

The unsuccessful attempt involved the hacker accessing the city’s water treatment facility and increasing the level of sodium hydroxide, an ingredient used in both liquid drain cleaners and to control water acidity, from 100 parts per million to 11,100 parts per million.

Pinellas County, Fla. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri told reporters that his office is working with the FBI and other state and federal partners to investigate the incident, with the individuals behind the hack not yet identified.

Oldsmar is located just outside Tampa, which hosted the Super Bowl over the weekend. Officials said Monday there was no evidence any other water treatment plants in the area had been attacked or breached.