LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Metro Council will take a volatile vote Thursday night on an ordinance that could prevent an explosives storage facility from going up next to a South End reservoir.

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Some argue the facility will put the water supply at risk for thousands of people while others argue it poses no danger.

"We have no idea what ATF's going to be bringing in from all over the country, and we're putting it on top of our main water supply," said Councilman Doug Hawkins (R).

That's why he said he opposes building a storage facility that will hold explosives collected by Louisville Metro Police at Cardinal Hill Reservoir.

"Police in a city this size need a magazine storage facility of explosives, I understand that; everyone understands that," Hawkins said. "What I'm saying is we don't need to put it on the main water supply for all of south Louisville."

Despite several public meetings that drew hundreds of angry constituents questioning the mayor's decision, Hawkins spent months as the lone dissenter on Metro Council. His attempts to pass a resolution failed.

But now it appears he's gaining support from others for a binding ordinance that would prohibit the project from going there.

"I think what Doug's done is raised the issue to a level where we have to think about this and ask the questions, and then we have to get answers," said Councilman Kelly Downard (R).

"Hopefully, rational and calmer heads will prevail and not be drawn in by speculation," said Councilwoman Madonna Flood (D). "The stuff that's being stored there, in and of itself, is no more dangerous as what you have in your garage."

Flood believes Hawkins is crying wolf for a reason.

"Sometimes when people run for other offices when they're holding an office, they need press," she said.

Hawkins said he's getting bipartisan support for his ordinance. He's counting on the vote of one South End Democrat, Dan Johnson, but he'll need two more Democratic votes to get it passed.