Divers doing maintenance work at a dam and reservoir in Alabama found an improvised explosive device that was then carried off and safely detonated.
The divers were inspecting the J.B. Converse Reservoir near Mobile ahead of routine repair work Wednesday when they found a “grenade-type” improvised explosive device, the Mobile Area Water & Sewer System said in a release.
Water system officials notified the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, which in turn called in other agencies, including the FBI. Since the reservoir and associated dam are designated as critical infrastructure by the federal government, the Department of Homeland Security was also notified.
The bomb was safely detonated, though water system officials did not say if authorities have any theories on where the IED could have come from.
“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,” Mobile Area Water & Sewer System Director Bud McCrory said in the agency’s release.
The dam, built in 1952, holds back 17 billion gallons of water contained in the reservoir for the Mobile area’s drinking water.
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