The attempted attacks in New Jersey follow similar hacking attempts in several other states, including what officials described as a larger breach in Minnesota.
Experts said North Carolina municipalities are on high alert because water systems are typically managed at the local level rather than on a federal grid. They also said the recent incidents are part of a broader pattern of threats targeting U.S. water infrastructure.
"The FBI's been looking at this as has CISA and DHS for over 15 years, so it's not a new threat. It's something that's out there. And yes, everyone out there should be concerned about it," said Eric Wojtkun, a cybersecurity and counterintelligence expert.
In a statement, Raleigh Water said it has been preparing for the possibility of cyberattacks for years.
"Raleigh Water has been aware of the threat of a cyber-attack (foreign or domestic) on our system for several years and have taken steps to minimize this risk... We believe our proactive efforts have prepared our system to resist cyber attacks and we continue to work with CISA to make sure we are following their best security practices," the utility said.
Wojtkun said the incidents serve as a reminder for communities and families to remain prepared.
"This is just another example of why we always need to remember to be prepared. Whether we live in the city or in the country, we have to make sure that we're always being aggressive about preparing ourselves and our families," he said.
The attacks in other states have temporarily shut down water systems but have not contaminated any water.
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