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Information Sheet

Northern Kentucky Water District
Security Issues at Fort Thomas Treatment Plant

(Summary of December 12, 2001 meeting)
About the Fort Thomas Treatment Plant:

 

  • Reservoirs constructed in 1891
  • Treatment plant constructed in 1936
  • Serves 300,000 population in Boone, Campbell and Kenton Counties, 65,000 customers including 5,500 +/- in Fort Thomas
  • Treatment plant treats 44 million gallons per day (MGD) of drinking water
  • The NKWD is the third largest water district along the Ohio River

Security project goals:

  • Research and develop a reasonable and responsible approach to security at the District's Fort Thomas Treatment Plant
  • Insure that the approach is meaningful
  • Maintain the public confidence in drinking water
  • Respond to a broad range of concerns - 65,000 households
  • Develop plan that incorporates levels of security commensurate with water industry events

Time line and associated information from other agencies subsequent to September 11th:

  • September 11th - Plant lockdown. FBI issues "water utility terrorist threat advisory until October 11th."
  • October 8th - Kentucky Division of Water "Review your emergency response plan and the security measures you have in place to ensure that your facilities are not vulnerable" and "Make security a priority. Limit access to facilities. Limit access to water supply reservoirs."
  • October 11th - American Water Works Association "The FBI extended its water utility terrorist threat advisory until December 11th. At that time it will be reevaluated".
  • October 11th - FBI "U.S. water supplies can be considered a "logical target" for a possible terrorist attack."
  • October 31st - EPA "Increase lighting…control access to water supply reservoirs."
  • November 10th - AMWA Monday morning briefing "Water suppliers estimate the two (vulnerability assessments and emergency response plans) could cost $155 million for the 750 largest drinking water agencies, which serve water to nearly 70 percent of the U.S. population."
  • November 12th - Water Security Summit PR Newswire "Water is the quintessential target…People are emotionally and physically dependent on water because it is the only consumable utility. Those charged with providing safe water should be at a heightened state of alert and should implement appropriate security measures."
  • November 19th - AWWA Testimony to House Science Committee "More knowledge must be gained and disseminated on the characteristics of possible biological and chemical toxins; instantaneous and on-line probes to detect these contaminants, and remedial/preventative actions to neutralize those contaminants."
  • December 19th - AMWA "Utilities are reminded that a heightened state of awareness should be maintained throughout the year-end holidays based on discussions of nonspecific threat information with FBI's NIPC and news reports from the Office of Homeland Security."

The NKWD has worked with nationally recognized water quality and security experts to conduct a risk assessment and vulnerability analysis at its facility. This effort has resulted in consideration of the following issues:

  • Identification of major concerns
  • Review of how the District can protect against these concerns
  • Development of security assessment "Layers of protections" addressing issues such as delay, detection, assessment and response

The NKWD has shared with the committee a variety of security levels/options that include increased security personnel on-site, improved lighting/security equipment, restricted access, fencing and combinations of these options. Preliminary cost data was shared regarding each level.
The neighborhood committee will be meeting again with the District in January 2002 to continue our discussions. District personnel have assured committee members that no decision regarding security improvements has been made, nor will be made, until additional discussions with this committee.
Committee members are: Charles Feltner, 85 Southview, Cindy Jones, 135 Tower Place, Scott Fennell, 131 Robson, Jim Engle Sr., 239 Military Parkway, Bob Heil, 1 Greene Street and Jeff Earlywine, City of Fort Thomas. NKWD personnel in attendance were Ron Lovan, General Manager, Bari Joslyn, Plant Director and Bill Wulfeck.