Access Control
& Security Systems

Security at New York City water facilities fails to meet federal and state guidelines, making them potentially vulnerable to biological or chemical attacks, according to a report released Sunday.

The report, compiled by the New York State Assembly Committee on Oversight, Analysis and Investigation, found that security at the facilities failed more than half of the federal Environmental Protection Agency and state Department of Health guidelines.

The committee's findings were based on several months of analysis using a 21-point security checklist at eight water facilities within the region. The report detailed what was found at the five facilities in the city, but did not disclose their specific locations.

The list included checking windows, doors, fencing and site construction. A general category examined such things as whether restricted access signs were clearly posted with phone numbers, so that suspicious activity could be reported. Not one facility was in complete compliance with federal standards regarding fencing, the report said. In some cases, fences had holes or gates were unlocked. In others, fences were vulnerable to intruders climbing over or under them. At some sites, doors were found with hinges on the outside, where intruders could remove them.

At two facilities, members of the team were able to gain access and photograph the interior of buildings without being questioned.

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