Area water officials increase security at treatment plants

City officials in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City say they have stepped up security measures at their individual water treatment facilities in response to terrorist attacks Sept. 11.

But they all said that if somebody was determined enough to poison the water supply, they could.

"If there's somebody crazy enough to do something, you can't safeguard against everything," said Kevin Priester, the water system manager for Cape Girardeau.

Priester said that security at Cape Girardeau's two water treatment plants has been beefed up. Police are making additional patrols and water plant operators have been instructed to be even more alert to "anything out of the ordinary," Priester said.

The facilities are also being locked at all times.

"During the day, we maybe didn't lock the gates before, but we do now for sure," Priester said. "We're making every precaution and I think we can say we're preparing to the side of caution and making every effort to make sure nothing does happen."

Quality monitored daily

Water quality is monitored daily for any unwanted chemicals, just as always. The process of chlorinating would also combat any contaminants. The water is also treated in other ways that would kill some biological agents.`

"You don't want to say too much and give people ideas," Priester said. "If someone poisons the water supply, most of the things would show up in some form."

Jackson Mayor Paul Sander said his city, too, has taken extra measures since the World Trade Center and Pentagon were attacked two weeks ago. Jackson's water plant no longer leaves any part of the 8-foot barbed-wire fence that surrounds it open during the day or night.

"The fences are closed 24 hours a day instead of being opened to public during working hours," Sander said. "You can't just drive in now."

The water plant is also adjacent to the power plant, which is manned 24 hours a day and those people are keeping a watchful eye, Sander said.

But Sander said it's likely not foolproof.

"I don't know that you can do that," he said. "If they want to do it bad enough, they'll find a do it. But we're being as careful as we possibly can."

Jackson's city administrator Jim Roach said that the water is filtered as well as having special treatments applied that would counterbalance "most" contaminants.

"For obvious reasons, we don't want to share too many details," Roach said. "We wouldn't want to help anyone who has any plans."

Scott City administrator Erika Glock said that their five well houses have been locked down with new locks and only certain people have access.

She, too, said that the water facilities could probably be penetrated.

"I think that's true anywhere," she said. "If they really wanted to get into any water system, they probably could."

smoyers@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137