The Signature | July 14, 2017

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Environmental Office Wastewater Discharges & You

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Navy Energy Awareness

Safety Check

Ten Ways to Save Energy

Stand Up to Falls

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N A S SIG O N E L L A

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JULY 14, 2017

Vol. 34 No. 27

NAS Sigonella Breaks Ground on New Water Lines By MC2 Christopher Gordon NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella started a two-year, two-part, $4.5 million construction project which plans to replace all water lines throughout NAS 2. “The construction started within the last two months,” said Allison Mumper, Utilities Branch Head for NAS Sigonella. “We have two projects going on, one is a raw water line going from the wells to the base, and the other is sporadic construction sights throughout the base replacing potable water lines.” The construction started due to the age of the water lines along with the amount of water the base was losing due to leakage, as high as an estimated 30% or 30 million gallons a year of leaked water. “We have vast amounts of leaks, some of the pipes are from 1954 so they’re old and its time for them to be upgraded and changed,” said Jonpaul Thomasseau, Public Works Deputy Director for NAS Sigonella. “So you’re seeing the start of that now, you’re going to see construction up and down on sections at a time, so you won’t see disruptions on the whole base at once.” Construction teams determine the specific size of the sections is due to one of two factors: the layout of the water line from connection to connection, or by the layout of the surrounding infrastructure such as roads, buildings and sidewalks. “If the base wasn't operational, we would dig the whole thing up and lay it out all at once,” said Thomasseau. “But obviously we need to live and work on here so we can’t just turn the water off forever. The way most water systems work is they are laid out in a loop, so one part can be turned off and everyone still receives water.” After the construction teams dig up and replace the water lines, they will fill the hole and repair or replace the surfaces. This means some roads on NAS 2 and the path leading out to the water source between NAS 1 and NAS 2 will have partially resurfaced asphalt. NAS Sigonella works tirelessly to maintain excellent energy conservation standards on base, consecutively

SIGONELLA, Sicily (June 21, 2017) – Construction workers from ECC install a raw water line near the public works building on Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella as part of a two-year construction project replacing all water lines on base. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Gordon/Released)

trumping all other bases in the Region by winning the Energy Biggest Loser Energy competition (now called Fuel for the Fleet) the last two years. One of the eight lines of operations at sea and ashore is “Core,” which incorporates energy, fuel, and water. “We’ve been really good at our energy conservation, but water has always been a big draw, why?” Thomasseau asks. “Because we pay to pump the water out of the well, we pay to treat the water, then some of the water leaks out. It’s like spending money to fill up your gas can that has a leak in it; it’s not wise to do. So buying a new gas can, or water lines in this situation, is the only way to fix it.” Though the water lines may be leaking some water, the base still maintains clean water due to the positive pressure in the lines. Absolutely nothing finds its way into the lines, while only some water finds its way out. “We have really good water here at NAS Sigonella,” said Thomasseau. “We’ve done a huge amount of in-

vesting and work to make sure we have really good water.” Even though NAS Sigonella invests to ensure clean and quality water throughout each facility, infrastructure always requires more and more money to be replaced. Thomasseau said replacing infrastructure is a necessary evil and pointed to cities like Detroit and Flint that have not invested as much as NAS Sigonella into their infrastructure; a problem highlighted recently in national news. By reducing energy and water costs ashore it helps improve the Navy’s war fighting capabilities at sea. Service members and civilians on board NAS Sigonella can do their part by reporting leaking or broken faucets and toilets, turning off the water while brushing ones teeth or shaving, and making an effort to take shorter showers. For more information on energy and water conservation, visit www.cnic.navy.mil/om/base_support/ facility_system_investment.html

Marines Commemorate Operation Husky Anniversary

Marines and Sailors with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Africa Logistics Combat Element salute during a parade in honor of Operation Husky at Licata, Italy, July 9, 2017. SPMAGTF–CR– AF LCE provides logistical support to the entire SPMAGTF enabling the protection of U.S. personnel, property and interests in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Guerra/Released)

Angelo Cambiano, mayor of Licata, Italy and Lt. Col. Shawn P. Grzybowski, the commanding officer for Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Africa Logistics Combat Element, unveil a monument in honor of Operation Husky at Licata, Italy, July 9, 2017. SPMAGTF–CR– AF LCE provides logistical support to the entire SPMAGTF enabling the protection of U.S. personnel, property and interests in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Guerra/Released)


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