// Risk Intelligence
| Risk Score | 7 / 10 High |
| Facility Type | 💧 Water Treatment Facility |
| Operator / Branch | City of Oldsmar |
| Host County | Pinellas County FL |
| Nearest City | Washington DC |
| Primary Risk Radius | 2 miles |
| Secondary Risk Radius | 10 miles |
// Strategic Significance
The Oldsmar Florida water treatment plant became nationally known in February 2021 when a hacker remotely accessed the plant control system and attempted to increase sodium hydroxide levels to 111 times the normal amount which would have poisoned the water supply for 15,000 residents. An alert operator caught the change and reversed it preventing a public health disaster. The Oldsmar incident became the most prominent example of cyberattack vulnerability in US water infrastructure and prompted nationwide security reviews of water treatment systems.
// Civilian Impact Assessment
Oldsmar with 15,000 residents. The 2021 cyberattack attempt to poison the water supply was caught by a vigilant operator. The incident demonstrated that small water systems with limited cybersecurity budgets are vulnerable to remote access attacks. Hurricane storm surge from Tampa Bay directly threatens Pinellas County water infrastructure.
// Evacuation & Shelter Guidance
US-19, SR-580, Tampa Bay. Pinellas County Emergency Management coordinates cyberattack and hurricane protocols for water infrastructure.