Protect Public Water Facilities from Vandalism
If water storage chambers, pumps, or valves are vandalized, even if it is a childish prank, it is an act that compromises the water treatment facility. To ensure the safety of the public, The Department of Public Works will need to sanitize the water and pass the water inspections of State and Federal standards, because vandalizing or any outside contact with the water treatment process may cause an imbalance in the treatment facility’s bionetwork.
The cost involved in bringing back the integrity of the water in the storage chambers involves treating the water a second time with the entire treatment process, in order to sanitize it. Water reservation and services are supposed to be kept as cheap as possible, however, when the water storage is disturbed by outside contaminates from vandalism, this causes the Water Department to raise their budget in order to sanitize the polluted water.
It is mandatory, therefore, to maintain the efficiency of water equipment in prestige condition. The Water Utility Operations must guard the equipment from corrosion, and protect its infrastructure of the water facilities. A damaged water-treatment system compromises the water of the entire community, causing public schools and other organizations to shut down until the water system is repaired and properly treated.
Preventing vandalism within water department perimeters is essential. Some water treatment plants have installed walls and gates with barbed wire to deter trespassing. However, persistent vandals overcome these barriers, therefore other deterrents are required. Other tools to consider are crime deterrent cameras using a motion sensor that will illuminate the area approached and will capture and help identify the trespassers. Since crime deterrent cameras are self-contained and require no electricity, they can be placed in even the most remote areas of the water treatment plant.
The public water system is a process that is important to protect, and it is essential to guard its equipment from vandals. Ensuring the entire community is drinking safe water cannot be compromised. Protect the water treatment plant and use as many resources as possible to prevent vandalism.