By Phyllis Schaltenbrand
Around noon on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 a St. Charles City employee, while changing flags in Fox Hill Park, noticed the gate to the fence surrounding the Fox Hill water tank had been broken and that the bolts on the top of the hatch of the tank had been broken off.
According to an e-mail sent to City Council members, City Administrator Allan Williams told the council they could not tell if entry was made because some of the washers were still in place while others were not. According to Williams, the City workers immediately isolated the tank from the system, started checking the area and the water, involved the St. Charles Police Department, the FBI and Department of Natural Resources. Williams also told the Council members that the City followed the procedures set out by federal terrorism regulations. He also said they do not have any reason to believe this is an act of terrorism at this point.
Williams pointed out that the City water system functioned for years without the Fox Hill tank and he believes it will function safely now. He believes the incident to be more likely vandalism than anything more serious.
The City is testing the tank and waters supplies and will continue to do so. DNR will join in on testing Thursday. Next week the City plans a slow drain of the tank.
City Council president Rory Riddler has asked the City administration to check on the cost of installing video cameras and intrusion alarm systems at the City water system.
The Associated press reported today the water system in Blackstone, Mass. that also serves homes in North Smithfield Rhode Island, was broken into.
According to the Associated Press, someone entered the facility after cutting through barbed wire. They vandalized an electrical panel and a vent on top of a 13 million gallon storage tank. A 5-gallon container was discovered on top of the tank emitting an odor. The Associated Press reported the authorities have ruled out terrorism, and the FBI has decided not to pursue the case. There were reports of teenagers fleeing the scene.
