Long showers must wait

Photo By Spc. Deborah Ledesma | Arifjan, Kuwait (October 10, 2006)---Sgt. 1st Class Sylvannus Jones, a Directorate of Public Works Quality Assurance, quality control operations sergeant with Headquarters, Headquarters Company Area Support Group-Kuwait, ascends a ladder to adjust the valves and gauges of a local water collection point at Arifjan.  

10.10.2006

Story by Spc. Deborah Ledesma 

40th Public Affairs Detachment

by Spc. Debrah Robertson
Desert Voice Staff Writer
40th Public Affairs Detachment

Paying special attention to that area right behind his ears, a Soldier is completely lathered in soap. The water feels great. He's worked hard today and nothing can compare to the water pressure on his aching back.
Then it happens.

First it's subtle. The stream falters and then drips. Hey, what happened? Looking up into the shower head, he begins turning the knobs. No luck. There's another water shortage.

Depending on the camp, there are several reasons that servicemembers experience water shortages.

"Localized water shortages can occur and are often caused by power outages, system maintenance, or high demand," said Sgt. 1st Class Sylvannus Jones, a Directorate of Public Works Quality Assurance, Quality Control operations sergeant with Headquarters, Headquarters Company Area Support Group-Kuwait.

The water shortages that Camp Arifjan experiences are a result of water shortages in the local area, he said. These shortages affect military camps and the Kuwaiti citizens.

Arifjan implements short mandatory outages in order to curb severe outages that may last long periods of time.

Servicemembers and contractors living on the camps should remain conscious that there are limited water sources in Kuwait, said 1st Lt. Scott Flanders, Camp Patriot's civil engineer with the 586th Expeditionary Mission Support Group.

"I like a nice long shower," said Jones, "but here you just don't have the luxury. Leaving the water running while brushing your teeth and shaving are old habits."

But the key to water shortage prevention is conservation.

"All U.S. military personnel stationed throughout Kuwait should practice water conservation at all times to help ease the burden on our host nation's water supply," said Jones, "ensuring there is water available for everyone's needs."

Accustomed to using as much water as they want at home, people forget water in Kuwait is a very limited resource, he said.

Water restrictions are difficult to enforce so water must be turned off completely in order to save water, he said.

Such strict measures would only be implemented in serious water shortage circumstances, said Flanders.

When the water supply becomes short, then the supply to the showers and washing machines must be cut, he said.

To save water and prevent a shortage before it occurs, Jones suggests that everyone practice conscious water consumption, such as turning the tap off while brushing their teeth or shaving.

Using the free laundry saves water on the camps because the laundry is done outside of the camps, he said.

"Wash full loads, set the water level to match the load size, and use short cycles [when doing your own laundry]," said Jones.

"Wash your vehicles at designated wash racks only," he said, "because wash racks recycle wash water."

Another way to save water is to report leaks to the facility manager in which the leak is found, said Jones. A large amount of water can be wasted even when a leak may seem small.

"Any waste [of water] affects everybody," he said. "It's a resource that once gone, can't be gotten back."

If a shortage does occur, water usage may be restricted.

"The command may close laundry and latrine facilities," said Jones. "and dining facilities may use disposable flatware and plates to reduce dish washing."

"Remember that water in Kuwait is not plentiful," advices Flanders.
The long soapy showers servicemembers enjoy may lead to days of bottled water baths.

• Date Taken: 10.10.2006
• Date Posted: 12.05.2006 09:18
• Story ID: 8480