Courtesy Photo | Petty Officer 1st Class Aaron Nagel, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion...... read more read more
By Petty Officer 1st Class Ken Mazer
HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan - On Dec. 31, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74's Water Well Detachment reached a deployment milestone when they tapped an artesian well in Helmand province, Afghanistan. The well is the first known artesian well to be tapped in the country and will provide much needed water to service members serving in the region.
The United States Geological Survey defines an artesian aquifer as one situated between layers of poorly permeable rock, such as clay or shale that may be confined under pressure, and states on their website that the word "artesian" comes from the town of Artois in France, the old Roman city of Artesium, where the best known flowing artesian wells were drilled.
When tapped by a well, water from the aquifer will flow rapidly upward, often resulting in a high-pressure water spout at the surface. These wells are rare, but gained notoriety in the Middle Ages where they powered famous fountains and aqueducts.
NMCB 74's water well team began drilling operations on December 18th, and in just seven days, their drill steel reached a depth of 1,220 feet; making it the deepest Naval Construction Force water well in Afghanistan. What came next was almost unimaginable; high pressure water spouting out of the bore hole. The crew was overwhelmed with excitement.
"Amazing," said Equipment Operator 1st Class Aaron Nagel, lead driller. "There are very few places in the world which have free-flowing artesian wells."
It is almost unbelievable that this rarity could be found in the middle of the desert. The well requires no power to operate, and because of the high pressure flow being produced, there is no pump installed. That means there is no requirement for a generator, electrical wires, or on/off switch. It is virtually maintenance free! All that is required is a turn of the valve and, like magic, pristine "artesian" water flows out at more than 100 gallons per minute.
The well is very important to Forward Operating Base Geronimo, because it is the lynchpin for all base improvements. Construction cannot begin without a reliable and abundant source of water, which has now been delivered. Showers are now being installed for the first time, port-a-johns are being staged and contractors are scrambling to get construction materials delivered. Within the next few months, FOB Geronimo will undergo a radical transformation that will greatly improve the quality of life for the Marines and Sailors that call it home.
Water well drilling in Afghanistan is one of the most important operations being conducted by NMCB 74. Not only does it create self-sufficiency for U.S. and Coalition Forces, it has a direct impact on the standard of living and morale of the troops.
The Seabees of NMCB 74's water well team, with unbridled zeal and motivation, are fanatical in their devotion to finding water. Their enthusiasm rubs off on everyone around them as they bring a little hope to remote FOBs. Marines are usually glad to see Seabees, but with this crew they are down right ecstatic!
| Date Taken: | 12.31.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 01.29.2010 19:04 |
| Story ID: | 44620 |
| Location: | HELMAND PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 610 |
| Downloads: | 230 |
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