FBI puts water utilities on high alert for terrorism

WASHINGTON — The FBI told water and wastewater utilities, as well as other entities, to be on guard for possible terrorist activities as September 11 approaches, but again the agency has little specific information.

The government warned potential targets to be on high alert for the one-year anniversary of the horrific acts of terrorism that struck Washington and New York City last year, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

Since that time, water and wastewater facilities have been deemed possible targets, and officials across the nation have been on alert.

There have also been efforts nationwide to fast-track security upgrades for water and wastewater facilities, including the development of a system — developed with the help of the American Waterworks Association through the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) — to detect where vulnerabilities are and what steps are needed to address those deficiencies.

While officials say they have no details outlining an impending attack, they're taking no chances, AP reported.

The FBI has issued warnings periodically over the last year, usually without releasing any specifics, but there have been no incidents.

The news service said the FBI told police, utilities, banks and the transportation industry to be wary. US military bases and diplomatic missions worldwide also are on high security alert for the week.

"Anniversaries can be — not necessarily always — can be occasions for heightened terrorist activity," said White House press secretary Ari Fleischer, according to AP. "Just given the fact that it's a one-year anniversary, we're going to be on our toes."

The State Department issued a worldwide caution Monday night urging Americans to remain especially vigilant this week, the news service said.