City of Oldsmar Water Facility

Profile narrative

The City of Oldsmar Water Facility, also known as the Oldsmar Water Treatment Plant, is a municipal utility that treats and supplies drinking water to the Oldsmar, Florida community. It uses control systems to manage its treatment processes and maintain water quality standards. Operators monitor chemical levels, including sodium hydroxide, to keep the water safe for consumption. On February 5, 2021, attackers gained remote access to the plant’s system via TeamViewer and attempted to increase the dosage of sodium hydroxide to a hazardous level. An employee noticed the unauthorized activity in real time and staff promptly reversed the command. Even without intervention, the plant’s redundant safety controls would have prevented dangerous contamination. The breach prompted investigations by the FBI and the Secret Service, highlighting vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.

As a facility owned by the City of Oldsmar, it operates under municipal authority as part of the local public works system. Its core mission is to deliver safe potable water to residents, businesses, and other users within the city’s service area. The facility employs remote access tools such as TeamViewer for operational monitoring and control of its treatment processes. The 2021 incident underscored the risks associated with such remote access tools and reinforced the need for strong cybersecurity protections in water utilities. While specific figures such as daily output or population served are not provided in the sources, the plant’s role as essential infrastructure makes it a key asset for public health. The event is frequently cited in discussions about improving defenses against cyber threats targeting industrial control systems.

Incidents

1 incident linked to this organisation.