A possible disaster involving a major Mobile-area water supply was avoided after authorities safely recovered and detonated a grenade-type improvised explosive device discovered at a reservoir dam.
According to the Mobile Area Water and Sewer System, the device was discovered underwater at the Converse Reservoir dam during a routine inspection by divers conducting repair and maintenance surveys.
MAWSS said the Gulf Coast Regional Maritime Response and Render-Safe Team successfully retrieved and detonated the device following a coordinated response involving multiple law enforcement agencies. Those agencies included the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, FBI Bomb Squad, Mobile Police Department Explosive Ordinance Detail, ALEA Bomb Squad and the Daphne Search and Rescue Team.
The device was described as a “grenade-type” improvised explosive device.
“Our top priority is keeping your drinking water safe,” said Bud McCrory, director of MAWSS. “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. We are grateful for the professionalism and competency of our law enforcement partners – as well as the quick thinking of our contractors and divers – in identifying this device and safely destroying it.”
According to MAWSS, the reservoir and dam are federally designated critical infrastructure, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has been made aware of the incident.
MAWSS said it will continue working with law enforcement agencies to enhance security at the reservoir and dam.
No injuries were reported during the operation.
Following the incident, U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) thanked the agencies involved in the response in a social media post, calling the successful retrieval and detonation of the device critical to keeping area reservoirs secure.
“My team and I have been in contact with state and local officials,” Britt wrote. “We are thankful no one was harmed.”
I am extremely grateful for the Gulf Coast Regional Maritime Response and Render-Safe Team, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, FBI Bomb Squad, Mobile Police Department Explosive Ordinance Detail, ALEA Bomb Squad and the Daphne Search and Rescue Team for their successful… https://t.co/5EYa4BXTSp
— Senator Katie Boyd Britt (@SenKatieBritt) May 14, 2026
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
