IED found, detonated at Mobile water reservoir in Alabama, USA
Gulf Coast regional maritime response and render-team teams successfully retrieved and detonated an IED found underwater at the Converse Reservoir dam in Mobile, Alabama, on Tuesday 12 May.
In an announcement online, the Mobile Area Water and Sewer System (MAWSS) said the multi-agency effort included the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, FBI Bomb Squad, Mobile Police Department Explosive Ordinance Detail, ALEA Bomb Squad, and the Daphne Search and Rescue Team.
The device was a grenade-type IED and was initially located by divers surveying the dam for routine repair and maintenance. Following this discovery, MAWSS alerted the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, which coordinated the multi-agency response for analysis, retrieval, and safe demolition.
"Our top priority is keeping your drinking water safe," said Bud McCrory, director of MAWSS. This is an unprecedented threat, and we are fortunate that this device was discovered before it could cause serious damage to our water supply or harm to individuals. We are grateful for the professionalism and competency of our law enforcement partners – as well as the quick thinking of our contractors and divers – in identifying this device and safely destroying it."
The reservoir and dam are federally designated critical infrastructure. The US Department of Homeland Security was made aware of the incident. MAWSS said they would continue to work with relevant law enforcement agencies to enhance security at the reservoir and dam.
