Combat Center fights drought during Preparedness month

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS -- The state of California is currently experiencing a drought with no relief in sight. According to Chris Elliott, water resources manager, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs, water is a precious commodity, especially to the Combat Center, which is why it’s doing all it can to ensure this resource does not go to waste.



“The installation has developed a Water Conservation Task Force and is working to change water conservation behaviors,” Elliott said “We’re doing this in a couple of different ways. One is through public outreach and education, along with brochures to spread the word about the drought and get people thinking along the lines of conserving water day-to-day.”



With the development of the Commanding General’s Water Conservation Policy and the recently established task force, new methods of conserving water and educating Combat Center patrons aboard the installation have been developed. For instance, the installation is equipped with a waste water treatment facility, which recycles most of the water from the installation’s sanitary sewer system. The waste water is then cleaned, treated and stored as non-potable water, which is used to irrigate the Desert Winds Golf Course.



“It is necessary for all of us aboard the base to be conscious about water conservation,” said J. Luis Aguirre, installation emergency management specialist, G-7 Mission Assurance. “Following the tips provided will help immensely when it comes to improving our current situation.”



When preparing for or combating a drought it is important to; remain aware of the amount of water being used each day, avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily, don’t leave water running for any reason and water landscaping early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler



“We’re in the desert, so we should be doing water conservation better than anyone else,” Elliott said. “The idea is to communicate to Marines and their families that in order to continue the mission, that water is critical. Without water or a water supply, the mission can’t continue for the Combat Center.”



Information booths will be set up at the main exchange every Friday at 10 a.m. for the remainder of this month. For additional information on how to take actions to conserve water during a drought, visit www.ready.marines.mil or contact the G-7 Mission Assurance branch at 830-1884.