Andrews commander discusses water-loss impacts, base resiliency

Published July 16, 2013
By Senior Airman Lindsey A. Porter
11th Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- The Andrews community will go to a mission-essential personnel only work force as of 9 p.m. on July 16.

Due to a critical water main repair, the Andrews populous will likely experience a dramatic decrease, or a possible loss, of water pressure over next few days. This loss in water is due in large part to an emergency shut off of the surrounding county's water supply, which is needed to effectively repair the main.

"During this time we will have reduced water pressure on the west side of the base and the areas where our housing and many of our people work," said Col. Bill Knight, 11th Wing/Joint Base Andrews commander. "To mitigate that, we're going to go to mission essential only operations beginning at 9 p.m. on July 16."

Supplying more than 100,000 people, to include the base's surrounding Prince George's County area and all of the Joint Base Andrews populous, the repairs to the 54-inch concrete water main will most likely take two or three days, said Knight.

"We encourage all of our residents beginning tonight at 9 p.m. to begin conserving water. In the meantime, between now and then I would encourage you to stock pile water," said Knight. "Since this situation is expected to continue for two to three days, we do encourage base residents and surrounding community members to stock up on water to prepare; that's one of the most important things you can do," said Knight.

Additional base water loss impacts include the closure of all military morale, welfare and recreation services to include the closure of the base commissary and the Andrews Main Exchange. However, Knight emphasized that not only would Andrews' mission-essential air support continue throughout this time, the bases' dormitory residents as well as those living in the station's housing areas would be taken care of.

"Our civil engineers are working very hard to get water buffalos and other water capabilities to various locations around the base," said Knight. "We are also distributing portable toilet facilities around the base tonight in support for all operations that will continue tomorrow."

Those living and working on Andrews and are encouraged to use the Joint Base Andrews Facebook page as their primary source of information concerning this event. Additionally, the Joint Base Andrews Twitter, base website and phone hotline are slated to reflect the same and most-current work-related information.

"If you live on Andrews, I think tomorrow would be a great day to get out and go see Washington, D.C." said Knight. "While this main brake effects a lot of people in our area, there's a lot of Washington, D.C. that is not effected and we encourage you to get out and go experience our Nation's Capital. Thank you for all that you do to help us get the job done on Joint Base Andrews and have a great day. "

Updated information will be posted on the Andrews Facebook and Twitter pages, and Apple and Android smartphone and tablet users can download the Andrews App to recieve updates.

For a list of facilities closed during the outage, click here.