The war in Iraq may be half a world away, but Augusta-area officials say that doesn't mean security at home should be left to chance.
On Thursday, city water plants were being barricaded with concrete walls and screening measures at public buildings had been increased.
Fort Gordon and Augusta Regional Airport officials also were re-evaluating security measures.
Perhaps the most noticeable local change was at Central Avenue between Highland Avenue and Iris Road, where Utilities Department officials closed the road to through traffic Wednesday afternoon. Officials said the road, which runs through the city's primary water treatment plant, will be closed until the nation's threat level is lowered from orange to yellow. Barricades have been placed around the water-pumping station on Goodrich Street.
"We have a unique situation where a road goes through the plant, so we need to secure it," City Administrator George Kolb said. "It's a precaution. That's all."
The Highland Avenue plant serves all of the city's major hospitals and a number of industries, Utilities Director Max Hicks said. The plant also treats water for 100,000 of the city's 180,000 water customers.
Other security efforts may be less noticeable but are no less important, officials say.
A "100 percent screening policy" has been implemented at the law enforcement center on Walton Way and at the Greene Street municipal building, said Capt. Teresa Dixon, of the Richmond County Marshals Department.
The Richmond County Sheriff's Office is urging residents to report any suspicious activity, and deputies have been told to keep a watchful eye on chemical and industrial facilities, Chief Deputy Sid Hatfield said.
"At this point, we're a little beyond the point of routine, and every man and woman on the street is aware of that," Chief Deputy Hatfield said.
Residents should be prepared for changes in security and perhaps delays at the gates of Fort Gordon, a spokeswoman for the installation said.
"Our security posture and measures constantly reviewed and revised, and there may be times there are obvious increased security measures," Marla Jones said.
As of Thursday, the fort's security remained the same as it was before the president announced the beginning of war in Iraq, the post's spokeswoman said.
Ms. Jones declined to say what specific measures will be taken if security is beefed up at the post.
"Some of the measures will be visible, but we don't outline those for people," she said.
Anyone going on the post must have a picture identification, she said.
Civilians still could get onto Fort Gordon on Thursday, she said, and there are no plans to cancel the Great American Yard Sale, scheduled to take place at military housing from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
At Augusta Regional Airport, heightened security continued, but random vehicle searches have not been reinstituted.
"Until we have a definitive instruction, we'll continue with our heightened security, which doesn't affect our passengers," said Kathryn Solee, the marketing director for the airport.
The instruction to start vehicle checks once again would come from the Transportation Security Administration, she said.
Staff Writers Jeremy Craig and Preston Sparks contributed to this article.
Reach Heidi Coryell Williams at (706) 823-3215 or heidi.williams@augustachronicle.com.
