Updated 2/10/2021 at 8 PM ET: In a statement, Express Water confirmed that high concentrations of lye could damage their reverse osmosis filters.
Updated 2/9/2021 at 4 PM ET: The manufacturer of Berkey filters stated they have no data on how their systems handle lye. John Squires from St. Paul Mercantile explained that activated carbon does not effectively remove lye from water.
A shocking incident occurred in Florida this week, where an intruder gained access to the City of Oldsmar’s water treatment system and attempted to spike the water with dangerously high levels of lye. This was discovered and corrected before any contaminated water reached the public, but the event has raised serious concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure. The attack took place on February 5, 2021, when an unknown person accessed the facility's control system using remote software. They increased the sodium hydroxide (lye) level from 100 ppm to 11,100 ppm—enough to cause severe harm if consumed or even touched. Fortunately, the operator on duty noticed the unusual activity and quickly reversed the change. While the immediate threat was neutralized, the incident highlights a growing trend of cyberattacks targeting essential services like water treatment plants. Similar attacks have been reported in Israel, with some suspected to be state-sponsored. These incidents show that even small communities are not immune to such threats. So, what can you do to prepare? While there’s no real warning for these kinds of events, having a stockpile of clean water is always a good idea. If your water supply were to be compromised, having a few weeks’ worth stored at home could be life-saving. Water filters like Berkey or reverse osmosis systems may not be sufficient to protect against high concentrations of lye. According to manufacturers, activated carbon doesn’t bind well with lye, and in extreme cases, it could damage the filter membranes. So, while these systems are great for everyday use, they might not offer protection in a worst-case scenario. If you're planning for emergencies, consider including portable water filters or purification tablets in your emergency kit. You never know when you might need to find an alternative water source, especially if your main system goes down. Stay informed by following local news updates. Though this story didn't make national headlines, it's important to know about such events if you live in the area. For more in-depth knowledge on water preparedness, check out our online course led by a SERE instructor and the founder of The Prepared. It includes over 7 hours of training to help you stay safe during water-related crises. This incident serves as a reminder that even small towns can be targets—and that being prepared is more important than ever.ABLE Fire Stone Sets, made of light ceramic raw materials or cement materials, light weight but strong not easy to break, hand-painted, natural colors and amazing details & realistic shapes, easy turn redness in the fire, can enhance the fireplace flame, all made of inorganic materials, odorless, fire-resistant temperature >900℃, product can be used for a long time, with reasonable price.
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