KENTWOOD -- Amateur photographer Ed Heil was struck by the vertical lines of the water tower. He planned to electronically "stitch" shots for a panoramic photo.

"It's a nerdy thing I like to do," he said.

But his hobby struck a different chord with utility officials. They asked his name and why he would be taking photos of the Walma Avenue SE water tower.

In this post-Sept. 11 world, taking photos of a public utility, especially involving a city's water supply, is considered suspicious behavior. Now, Heil, a 40-year-old computer programmer armed with a point-and-shoot camera, wonders if he'll be on some list somewhere and worries about getting past security at the airport.

Heil said he just wanted to be left alone Thursday afternoon. If police asked, he would talk; but he didn't think he had to answer to city workers. He walked to the library down the street and sat at a computer terminal. The utility workers followed and continued to seek identification -- and threatened to call police, he said.

"I was physically shaking with anger and fear, and let them know in no uncertain terms that I did not believe this was a legitimate exercise of authority, and I wanted them to cease harassing me and let me work," Heil said. "I told them they had no right to demand any personal information from me, but they were so intimidating and threatening, I did give them my name and they finally went away."

He said the utility workers figured he must be a terrorist planning to poison the water supply.

"I don't think (terrorists say), 'We got the World Trade Center. What's next -- Kentwood?'" he said.

But Mayor Richard Root said no one takes chances any more. He said he was proud of city workers for their diligence, adding that they responded appropriately.

"You're never certain what the intention is," Root said. "I'm sure you'd find the Coast Guard very excited if somebody (was photographing) the Mackinac Bridge.

"I hope (Heil) is not too offended, but on the other hand, I think we did a good job."

The water tower, nicknamed "the octopus," is distinctive because of pipes that hang down. Its photo is even featured on the city's website.

John Gorney, Kentwood's operations and utilities manager, said his concern wasn't the content of the photo, but the reason behind it.

He was summoned to the scene Thursday. If he had to do it over again, he said, he would've called police immediately, a new policy that took effect Friday morning.

But he made no apologies.

Since the 2001 terrorist attacks, the federal government has repeatedly warned communities to safeguard utilities.

"I explained why we had concerns," Gorney said. "I was just trying to find out what he was doing with the picture. We tried to express our concerns about the water tower. We have 24,000 people who rely on that water and that tank. I'm responsible for the water tower. I take that seriously."

He said his concern was heightened by breaches this month at water storage facilities in Kalamazoo. The federal government warns that water systems could be potential targets for terrorists or criminals and to report suspicious behavior.

Heil said it should be obvious he is no terrorist. He hasn't been in trouble with the law, state police records show, and he figures it's been 20 years since his last traffic ticket. Six feet tall and 300 pounds, he said he's a "middle-class white guy with a ponytail," who favors T-shirts and jeans.

Gorney responded: "You don't have to fit any type of profile in my mind."

He said the incident would be referred to U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

E-mail John Agar: jagar@grpress.com