An Iranian-linked hacker group claims it breached Cal Water’s system, obtaining and releasing a water bill for a customer in Chico.
Hackers from a group called Handala said the breach was a retaliatory “warning” directed at Washington after U.S. air strikes damaged water infrastructure in southern Iran.
Chris Hables Gray, a lecturer at University of California, Santa Cruz, who studies how computers affect society and the military, said most experts think the group is affiliated with Iran military or security services.
Handala has also claimed responsibility for other high-profile cyber intrusions, including alleged hacks targeting FBI Director Kash Patel's personal email and FBI drones used during the 2026 World Cup.
“So this little hack on Cal Water is just one sickly little rooster coming home to roost the American imperialist project,” Gray said.
The release of customer information appears intended to send a message rather than disrupt local water operations, Gray said. But he said attacks on critical infrastructure will likely remain an ongoing concern.
"This itself shows that all such systems are hackable,” Gray said, “and that's not great, but it's no giant disaster."
He said threats to information and intelligence have been a key factor in the history of war.
“Technologies have changed, but that hasn't changed the importance of information and also of actions other than combat for weakening your enemy,” Gray said.
The information released online includes a Chico Cal Water customer’s name, and account number and balance.
Cal Water said in a statement to NSPR that it’s working with state, federal and independent cybersecurity agencies to investigate the claim.
The company says there have been no known disruptions to billing, water service or other operations.
The recent Cal Water breach also affected service areas in Bakersfield and Visalia.
