MAFB cuts water usage in half Published June 30, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Jessica McConnell Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Air Force Global Strike Command's Minot Air Force Base leadership mandated a water conservation order here June 27 for all base personnel and businesses in response to several water breaks in Minot's main water line. According to Minot Public Works director Alan Walter, the water system in Minot has experienced multiple breaks in a main water line, leading the residents of both Minot and the air force base to severely limit their water use. Mr. Walter said that his crew continues to look for the breaks, but they are difficult to find because they are located under 10 feet of water. He said the city also found a line that collapsed in the sanitary sewer system, which they are now pumping out over the levees. "We're well beyond a crisis," he said. "We're in very deep. We have a long grind ahead of us." Mr. Walter affirmed that the water is being tested every 15 minutes at the plant. Results of the initial water testing are not yet completed. Base leadership immediately responded to the main water breaks by mandating a water conservation directive. That response has yielded a decrease in the base's water consumption by half, going from 400,000 gallons a day to 200,000 gallons a day. "There is no reason anyone should be without bottled water," said Col. Michael Dilda, 5th Mission Support Group commander. "For military personnel in dorms and at their workstations, we have been purchasing bottled water for their consumption. There is a pick-up location at building 505. There is no rationing of that water." "The base is also working on establishing alternate water sources," he continued. "We have water purification systems on the way that will be installed and used to produce potable water to the base. As those systems are functioning correctly and providing full potable water, there will be more water available to the base." Once installed, the base community will be updated on whether the boil water order has been lifted. This will only be accomplished once officials from the State Health Department have evaluated the base's water system and deem it safe for consumption.