A sweeping wave of cyberattacks has targeted water and wastewater infrastructure across at least seven U.S. states, prompting emergency responses from federal and state authorities.

A regional hosepipe ban for Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, and Berkshire begins Saturday as South East Water addresses low water levels and financial uncertainty.

Five water companies have implemented formal hosepipe bans as record-breaking heat puts extreme strain on the nation's water infrastructure. Other providers have issued urgent appeals for customers to voluntarily limit water usage.