Madison and Dane County officials announced last week the implementation of a plan to protect water quality by enhancing security at local water utility sites.

The $485,000 system installed 32 security cameras at Madison Water Utility sites to provide pump operators with a continuous view of each facility, according to a release from Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk.

�The safety of our drinking water is vitally important,� Cieslewicz said in the statement. �This new system will provide us with real-time surveillance of critical water utility facilities, providing an additional level of security for the community.�

The security system was funded by a $388,000 grant from the Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance in 2007, and Madison Water Utility provided the remaining $97,000.

�Dane County is always looking to leverage state and federal dollars to help our local communities,� County Executive Kathleen Falk said in a statement.��We were happy to assist the city of Madison improve this important piece of infrastructure.�

Installation began in fall 2007, and final adjustments will be completed this month. Ald. Paul Skidmore, District 9, said security cameras are good to prevent water contamination.

�I�d really hate to think it might happen,� he said. �Why would someone want to poison us?�

The security cameras provide 24-hour surveillance and alarm notifications, allowing pump operators to make �real-time security decisions� in the event of an emergency.

Skidmore said the topic of surveillance raises controversy, but he does not have �a philosophical problem that we are intruding on a person�s property, not for this situation.�

�Is the camera the only way? No,� Skidmore said.

It is also important, he added, that buildings are secure with layers of locks, and also that personnel are well-trained and ports of entry to buildings are lit at night.

�I think it�s safe to say there have been breaches in security in other city buildings,� he said. �But we do the best we can.�