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Emergency repair takes place throughout the wee morning hours

Published March 5, 2019
Final tests of the completed system repairs take place after 2 a.m., before the team wraps up about a 7-hour emergency repair process.
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Final tests of the completed system repairs take place after 2 a.m., before the team wraps up about a 7-hour emergency repair process.

Even in an emergency situation the team held a Contractor Safety Stand-Down prior to initiating any work efforts.
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Even in an emergency situation the team held a Contractor Safety Stand-Down prior to initiating any work efforts.

The malfunctioning water well pump is brought to the surface for observation.
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The malfunctioning water well pump is brought to the surface for observation.

LNQA’s pull the malfunctioning water well pump up to assess its condition.
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LNQA’s pull the malfunctioning water well pump up to assess its condition.

Assessment of the damage takes place around 9:30 p.m. with the team bringing up the pump.
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Assessment of the damage takes place around 9:30 p.m. with the team bringing up the pump.

Assessment of the damage takes place around 9:30 p.m. with the team bringing up the pump.
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Assessment of the damage takes place around 9:30 p.m. with the team bringing up the pump.

At about 1:30 a.m. the pump is staged to be placed back in its original position.
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At about 1:30 a.m. the pump is staged to be placed back in its original position.

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The Local National Quality Assurance (LNQA) team reported a malfunctioning water well pump at Camp Shorab, Helmand province recently.  

So the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) team coordinated with contractor IDS International and initiated emergency response actions to mitigate the issue.

According to USACE Afghanistan District O&M Program Manager, Keysha Cutts-Washington, the contractor is required to respond within 15 minutes of an initial emergency notification in order to mitigate or correct emergency requirements.

Historically Helmand Province poses a security challenge, however, IDS International was able to strategically work to overcome access issues.

In cooperation with the Afghan National Army (ANA) Base Commander, who was able to provide an on-site crane, the contractor was able to expeditiously remove the broken system parts and install a new submersible water pump.

The team’s efforts involved working in freezing temperatures into the early morning hours, as late, or early, however you look at it until 3 a.m. in order to get water production restored.

The team was able to successfully complete the project and restore full service within eight days.

 

SIDENOTE: Tune in tomorrow as we highlight the accomplishments of USACE O&M Manager, Keysha Cutts-Washington in our National Women’s History Month recognitions.


USACE
USACE Afghanistan
O&M
CSTC-A
USFOR-A
LNQAs
Safety Stand Down
Afghan National Army
Camp Shorab

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division serves as USACE’s tip of the spear in one of the most dynamic construction environments in the world, STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS, BUILDING CAPACITY, and ENHANCING SECURITY for our nation, allies, and partners. 

We SAFELY deliver agile, responsive, and innovative, design, construction, engineering and contingency solutions in support of U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command and other global partners to advance national security interests.

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