PARK RIDGE, N.J. (VINnews) — Cyberattacks on two municipal water systems in Cape May County have prompted new bipartisan federal legislation aimed at strengthening defenses for small and midsize utilities across the country.

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The incidents, part of a broader campaign that targeted water systems in as many as 12 states last month, affected the City of Cape May Water and Sewer Department and the Borough of Woodbine Water Department. Officials said quick action by a small number of people prevented customers from losing service. No drinking water was contaminated and no customer data was compromised, authorities said.

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“Have there been other attacks in New Jersey? Absolutely, and there will be other attacks in New Jersey,” said Michael Geraghty, chief information security officer at the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell. He noted that many attacks are blocked, but some succeed.

On Wednesday in Park Ridge, U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., joined local officials to announce two bipartisan bills. One would provide artificial intelligence security tools to water utilities and power stations in communities most in need. The other would create a rapid-response notification service giving small and midsize towns a direct point of contact during an attack.

“This is about fighting the bad guys, fighting our adversaries, fighting China, fighting Russia, fighting Iran, before they get here,” Gottheimer said.

Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said water utilities can be easy targets for criminals who exploit remote vulnerabilities. His office maintains cybercrime, counterterrorism and digital forensics units that monitor online threats.

Reports have suggested Iran was behind the broader campaign. American Water and Veolia, two of New Jersey’s largest water utilities, said last week they were not affected.