Planning for water supply. Daily operations of CMMC personnel include directing production, storage
and distribution of water, and reviewing and analyzing demands. They evaluate and balance work loads
and resources of water supply units in the combat zone.
CMMC personnel should know the capabilities of the transportation system and its ability to move water.
Water is processed and distributed in divisions by using their own assets. Potable water supply throughout
the corps is on a demand basis from water supply points. When divisions, ACRs, and separate brigades are
unable to provide enough water, water supply will be provided by the COSCOM. CMMC personnel will
develop plans for processing requirements and distribution based on the needs of the corps.
PART C - COORDINATING WITH DIVISION/CORPS ENGINEER STAFF FOR
SUPPORT
Requesting Tactical Engineer Support for Water Storage Site
Construction/Improvement. After choosing the sites for each part of the supply point, write an
engineer work estimate and request engineer support as needed. With this information, the engineer unit
can prepare individual tank sites, remove underbrush, clear truck parking areas, and build improved roads
through the site, if they are needed.
As an example of theater force water consumption requirements: engineer construction requirements
include water for road and airfield construction, quarry operations, asphalt plant operations, well drilling,
pipeline testing, and concrete construction. Such water does not need to be potable. However, water with
high salt content may cause long-term corrosion and reduce the strength of concrete. Water requirements
for engineer construction cannot be computed on a per man per day basis due to construction variables in
various theaters. Since nonpotable water consumption must be estimated in an arid zone, use 0.5 gallons
per man per day as a factor at the division level. Use 1.5 gallons per man per day at the corps level and
above.
Direct all work done during water point development toward the following six objectives. Unless the work
furthers one or more of these objectives, it is unnecessary and should not be done:
Increase the quantity of potable water available.
Improve the quality of water produced.
Lessen storage and distribution problems.
Decrease site and equipment maintenance needs.
Improve security of operations.
Improve living conditions of water point personnel.
Site Improvement Considerations. The importance of providing for drainage cannot be
overemphasized. Wastewater from treatment units, leakage from tanks, and spillage from distribution
facilities keep the area of operations wet. Poor drainage may also cause the area to be so muddy that it
becomes unusable. If vehicles cannot get to the point of distribution, the water point no longer serves its
purpose. Also, during the winter this water may freeze, causing a serious safety hazard for personnel and
equipment. Avoid such conditions by having good drainage at each site. Always direct drainage
downstream from the purification, storage, and distribution operations.
Storage facilities should be large enough to meet daily peak demands and maintain command-directed
DOS. This will eliminate long waits at the water point by consumers and ensure sufficient quantities are
available for mission requirements. Water treatment personnel may install collapsible fabric bags to achieve
required storage capability. This is in addition to the tanks issued with the purification equipment. Site
considerations for these collapsible fabric bags include level (less than 3-degree slope in 100 yards) and
clear terrain.
Coordinating for Operation of Fixed or Semifixed Water Distribution/Storage
Equipment and Installations. In certain situations the OPLAN may determine that it is possible to
utilize existing water storage and distribution facilities. As discussed earlier, when planning water operations,
determining existing water production, storage, and distribution capabilities is very important. In addition to
factors mentioned earlier in this lesson, when determining the suitability for use of an existing storage and
distribution facility, the following factors must be considered:
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QM 4924