DHS secretary Johnson discussing the threat posed by terrorists, including those issues specific to water on a recent news broadcast.
I received the following email from a medical doctor (who I haven’t yet received permission to use his name ) regarding a possible public health threat in a small rural town in the United States (unnamed for security reasons).
The disturbing email read as follows:
“Interested in your publication on threat to drinking water system.
You may be interested in something my wife and I have been investigating and exposing for past 2 years. The USDA Rural Development has funded public water system that lacks adequate back flow protection. These particular systems used prohibited “cattle hydants” to supply potable water to residences. They are a prohibited stop and waste valve which can contaminate the public water system if approved back flow prevention is not installed (approved back flow prevention device at each origin of potable water service line).
Several months ago an engineer working with us brought up point that, without back flow protection, a terrorist or even “maniac” could introduce toxins that could access entire public water system through back flow event. For example, introduce bacterial toxins or chemicals into a SINGLE service line connected to the public water system, then all that has to be done is cause drop in pressure in system to cause back siphonage.
I was looking more at public health aspect of an inadequate drinking water system, and didn’t give much thought to terrorism issue. This practice of having no back flow protection for the public water systems may be pervasive.”
Note: USDA (united States Department of Agriculture) Rural Development office helps local governments, cooperatives and utility districts finance essential public infrastructure like reliable drinking water, wastewater and solid waste management, Telecommunications and Electricity.
See Department of Homeland Security & Preparedness Intelligent Bureau Terrorism Risk Assessment report report https://info.publicintelligence.net/NewJerseyDrinkingWaterT…