Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team performs site assessments for two projects

Photo By Staff Sgt. Sean Martin | Ken Culver, United States Army Corps of Engineers electrical engineer from Crestwood, Ill., looks at a generator during a pre site assessment of tow projects in Kandahar province, July 31. The Kandahar PRT performed a post site assessment survey for the director of public works facilities and Sub District 9 potable water distribution points. The PRT’s mission is to improve security, governance, and infrastructure capacity throughout Kandahar province.  

KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN

08.05.2011

Story by Senior Airman Sean Martin 

Provincial Reconstruction Team Kandahar

KANDAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Engineers from the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team performed a pre-site assessment on two locations for the director of public works facilities and potable water distribution points project for sub-district nine in Kandahar City July 31.

There are plans for 20 potable water distribution points being built in Kandahar City. They will be constructed near already established public gathering areas.

“Health concerns in Kandahar City are due in part to a lack of clean, fresh water being available. This has led to an urgent requirement to assist the people of sub-district nine,” said U.S. Navy Lt. j.g. Andrew Bessette, Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team’s engineering department head from Portsmouth, R.I. “These water points will help in the interim until a certified well is in place that can provide potable water to the people of sub-district nine.”

The scope of this project includes the construction of a water collection point located in sub-district 10, where excess water from the well that is already in place can be piped to a collection point that will then be placed into water trucks and transported to the 20 public distribution points around the sub-district. The distribution points will have public tap stands attached to the 20,000 liter truck tanks. There will also be solar-powered lighting provided for each location.

“We assessed the turnaround point the trucks would be using,” said U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Jerry Foster, Kandahar PRT project manager from Gulfport, Miss. “We also made sure that the existing power generator had enough capacity to support the expansion.”

The engineering team also met with the deputy director of Public Works to discuss his current capacity within his department and to also strengthen relationships between the Kandahar PRT and the Kandahar Public Works Department.

The meeting also assessed the possibilities for the construction of a new office building and other facilities. Both projects should improve the everyday life for the people of central and northern Kandahar City.

“Potable water is the basis for good health and hygiene,” said Foster. “Solving the water issue is a good start for the people of Kandahar City because it can help decrease water-borne illnesses.”

The projects will include input from local civic leaders, sub-district managers, the department of public works, and the Afghanistan Urban Water and Sewage Company.

• Date Taken: 08.05.2011
• Date Posted: 08.05.2011 05:58
• Story ID: 74861
• Location: KANDAHAR, AF