Pfc. Nikolai Yakubuff, A Co. 297th Military Intelligence Battalion, fills up a 400-gallon water trailer with potable water Tuesday evening at the Columbia County Water Utility for use at Fort Gordon during a Boil Water Advisory that went into effect ...
Military trucks pulling 400-gallon water trailers wait outside the Columbia County Water Utility plant to fill up with potable water Feb. 9 for use at Fort Gordon during a Boil Water Advisory that went into effect after the City of Augusta issued a s...
FORT GORDON, Ga. (February 12, 2016) - A Boil Water Advisory went into effect for areas north of Gordon Highway, Fort Gordon and East Augusta, Georgia, Wednesday, after the city of Augusta issued a statement saying the water from the treatment plant had a higher than normal concentration of particles.
The Emergency Management Agency director Tom Wiedmeier said in a statement that he did not feel this was a public health threat, but a Boil Water Advisory was issued as a precaution and will remain in effect until further notice.
Once notice was received from Augusta Utilities, Fort Gordon's Emergency Manager Vincent Pacchiana reached out to Columbia County for assistance.
"I am pleased to say that our staff responded immediately, worked through the night, and we were able to meet the needs of the Soldiers of Fort Gordon," said William Clayton, director, Columbia County Water Utility. "What a pleasure it is to be of some service to those who put their lives on the line for us every day."
Directors and key personnel on Fort Gordon met at the Installation Operations Center and worked through the problem Tuesday night through Thursday. The IOC sent out a Boil Water Advisory for the post at 3:07 p.m. Tuesday through U.S. Army Enterprise Alert system to workplace computers. Water buffalos filled with potable water from Columbia County were placed around post to include the barracks where Advanced Individual Training Soldiers live.
Officials at Fort Gordon also purchased bottled water from local distributors and set up two distribution sites on post: Cyber Fitness Center and a site close to Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center.
"We want to thank our CSRA neighbors," said Col. Samuel Anderson, garrison commander. "By notifying the affected areas in a timely manner, the installation was able to react immediately. In addition, Columbia County employees worked through the night making sure the installation had what it needed to sustain operations. It's relationships like these that help sustain Fort Gordon when emergencies arise and we are grateful to have neighbors like this right outside our gates."
As a result of the Boil Water Advisory, Freedom Park School on Fort Gordon and Richmond County Schools were closed Wednesday and Thursday. The installation Child Development Centers remained open.
Child, Youth and School Services provided full day care for registered patrons affected by the closing of the Richmond County Schools. All scheduled appointments through the Fort Gordon Dental Activity were cancelled Wednesday.
Georgia Pre-K program was closed. Patrons registered for before or after Pre-K and Kindergarten care were provided all-day care.
The dining facility at DDEAMC Army Medical Center limited service to hospital patients and staff, and according to Sgt. 1st Class David White, a watch officer at the IOC, the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation food services and facilities capabilities were reduced due to the Boil Water Advisory. The Exchange food services and facilities also offered a limited menu and operation hours.
The Commissary sold pre wrapped meat only Wednesday, and fresh cut meat from Robbins Air Force Base was available Thursday. No meat cutting services were offered, and only already prepared and stocked produce was available for sale.
The Fort Gordon Dining Facilities offered limited food service during the advisory.
"Once we received notification, our civilian employees and service members stepped up to meet the challenge," Anderson said. "They are what keeps this installation running day in and day out. Without their efforts we would not have been able to open essential services on the installation and keep them running."
Authorities released results of the water testing and after two tests found no contamination.
For more information regarding the Boil Water Advisory, visit www.augustaga.gov/alertcenter.
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