Congressional Representative for Iowa’s 3rd District Zach Nunn has worked to introduce the Cybersecurity for Rural Water Systems Act 2025, and has Bi-Partisan support for it.

Nunn mentions that something he believes is taken for granted across the nation is our access to clean, dependable drinking water, and that the resource has become a vulnerable target for scammers and those looking for a ransom. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio that these threats come not only from within the country, but from foreign actors as well. Nunn shares an example of how some have tried to tamper with water.

“Hackers gained access to water treatment facilities and attempted to poison water systems in both California and Florida, due to lax cybersecurity measures in those systems. And only about 20 percent of publicly owned water systems have implemented even the most basic level of cybersecurity. And look, I’ve served in the military, I’m a cyber operations officer. I’ve worked on the National Security Council in DC as the director of cybersecurity. This is a real threat, and it’s near and dear to our homes.”

Nunn mentions that the bill directs the US Department of Agriculture to expand the Circuit Rider program, and help with cybersecurity assistance, especially in rural areas. He adds that this gives small rural water companies a fighting chance should a cyber-attack occur on their systems.