Pipeline keeps running water at FOB Kalsu

Photo By Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky | An excavator digs up the old pipe system, Jan. 24, in order to lower the pipe down to reach below the current water level in the canal feeding water to Forward Operating Base Kalsu. The Kalsu Mayor Cell, in conjunction with Kellogg, Brown and Root and Iraqi contractors, began a project to lower and extend the pipe system. The system was lowered almost four feet and extended by 100 feet.  

ISKANDARIYAH, IRAQ

01.28.2008

Story by Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

Story by Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – A water pipeline project began, Jan. 24, to Forward Operating Base Kalsu's water pipeline system.

"We need to lower the pipe about three to four feet," said William Walters, the Kalsu site supervisor. He said the change was needed because the canal water level is currently lower than normal.

Nearly 500,000 gallons of water needs to be pumped in from the Tigris River each day to meet the needs of FOB Kalsu residents. The Kalsu Mayor Cell, in conjunction with Kellogg Brown and Root and Iraqi contractors, began lowering and extending the pipe system to keep up with the water demand at the FOB.

By lowering the pipe it will allow the base's reverse osmosis water purification unit to continue drawing water from the canal.

Initially, the pipe was to be installed at a lower level, but last June the water level was too high and it could not be lowered. Now, with the water level receding, the decision was made to make the changes, Walters said.

Sana Beirut, an Iraqi construction company, will install an additional 100 feet of pipe, said Robert Gotshall, chief of services for FOB Kalsu. The additional length will place the pipe near the center of the canal. Currently, a small tributary to the canal leads to the pipe, but dries out before reaching the canal.

The project is expected to take about 10 hours, but will pay a large dividend. First Lt. Andrew Shadley, Kalsu mayor cell, said the construction should solve the base's current water shortage.

"This project will solve all those problems completely," he said.

• Date Taken: 01.28.2008
• Date Posted: 01.28.2008 13:25
• Story ID: 15832
• Location: ISKANDARIYAH, IQ