Wastewater treatment systems and terrorism

Abstract

Wastewater treatment systems are considered critical infrastructure facilities, and can be the target of terrorist attacks. The aim of this work is to draw attention to the threat posed by attacks on wastewater treatment systems, which has not been the subject of a study of this kind to date. The authors aim to illustrate the vulnerability of wastewater treatment systems by collecting and documenting the physical and virtual attacks that have occurred and presenting the most serious cases. With the rapid development of information technology in the world, the number of attacks in cyberspace is increasing proportionately, and therefore more attacks are being targeted at water management and wastewater systems. This article is divided into two parts. First, an overview is provided of physical attacks and cyber incidents targeting wastewater treatment systems. Second, we project the public health impacts and subsequent threats of a terrorist attack that results in the widespread wastewater flood of populated areas.