Ransomware hit Minot's water plant: keep a water reserve

RISI Data reported that ransomware infected a server running the SCADA system at the water treatment plant in Minot, North Dakota, on March 14, 2026. The plant serves approximately 80,000 residents.

What happened

Staff ran manual operations for approximately 16 hours, watching gauges and maintaining pressure. The reporting shows the plant kept operating by hand during that period.

What it means for your home

A household cannot run a treatment plant. It can keep its own water supply, though, so that a utility problem is less disruptive. A stored supply and a way to purify extra water give a buffer while utilities recover.

What to do this week

• Count how many people and pets your household needs water for each day.
• Fill clean containers with drinking water and label them with the fill date.
• Keep water for cooking and washing dishes as well as for drinking.
• Buy purification tablets or a filter, and check their expiration dates.
• Keep a written list of where you would get extra water if your supply ran low.

To work out how much to keep, read the guide on how much water to store.