What Does Murray Water Break-In Mean for Local Water Security?

On April 29th, the Murray County water facility was compromised. According to a report last week, the perpetrator entered the facility using a key and tampered with equipment controlling the amount of chloride and fluoride added to the public water supply. FBI, GBI, and local authorities are currently investigating the situation.

The incident calls into question the security of near-by water facilities in North Georgia. In the wake of the September 11, 2001 Terror Attacks, authorities paid special attention to water facilities, conjecturing terrorist groups could poison water supplies. The Murray incident seems to have to drum up similar concerns, challenging the safety of water supply facilities in North Georgia. But, Pickens Water Authority Director Larry Coleman says the Pickens facilities are safe.

During a North Georgia Regional Water Partnership meeting in Cartersville on May first, the Murray incident was addressed, Coleman confirmed. In a discussion with FYN, Coleman said the facility was “broken into” by use of a key. As such, authorities surmise a former or current employee committed the crime. Also, in addition to having key access to the facility, authorities believe the perpetrator is a current or former employee because the criminal knew how to manipulate the equipment to alter the chemical levels.

According to reports, the chlorine and fluoride levels were dangerous. Coleman said, though, water affected by the level change never left the holding wells. He also said it’s standard practice for the FBI to investigate crimes related to public water supply. Immediately following the incident, a no-drink restriction was issued for a period of time. Also, the change in levels was promptly discovered by workers on the next shift.

As far as security for Pickens County Water Facilities, Coleman says the facilities will continue to be secured as they’ve always been secured. Although the facilities aren’t patrolled by armed security guards, he says they are secured each shift by employees, trained to spot abnormalities in level settings.

Other water facilities in the county could also be vulnerable to criminal activity, namely Jasper’s water supplies. However, Jasper Water Supervisor David Hall could not be reached for comment.