FORT KNOX, Ky. — The Department of the Army on March 26 announced Fort Knox is one of six installations recognized at the 2023 Secretary of the Army Energy and Water Management Awards, held in February.
Fort Knox Energy Program manager R.J. Dyrdek said the award is a welcome addition, especially since it zeroes in on leaders’ efforts to improve water at the Central Kentucky installation.
“This is all about the water system, and this is pretty appropriate for the team effort that we gave,” said Dyrdek. “Not only was it a better redundant system allowing us to have three different sources to get the water, it also increased the pressure by raising the water towers, which allowed us to have better fire suppression.”
The purpose of the annual awards, which according to Army officials were established in 1979, is to applaud installations, small groups and individual people “who make significant achievements in energy and water management in support of Army readiness” and advance the Army’s goals toward energy security, water improvement and sustainability.
In a U.S. Army story published the same day, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment Rachel Jacobson recognized the importance of teamwork.
“The Army’s management of energy and water is guided by a team of outstanding professionals, and this year’s awardees are some of our very best,” said Jacobson. “From microgrids to meters, their impressive accomplishments are shining examples of the kinds of best practices everyone should emulate. Their work reflects the Army’s commitment to ensuring energy and water security as critical components of national security.”
Fort Knox’s water system has gone through significant upgrades over the past few years, including switching from a handful of old water towers to two huge towers that not only raised the height of water storage by as much as 70 additional feet, but increased capacity to 1.5 million gallons.
The Department of Public Works also reduced the number of water treatment from two facilities to just the one at the Muldraugh facility and then retrofitted and modernized it with chloramine disinfectant – what neighboring treatment plants are using. It not only provides all of Fort Knox with clean water, it also assists neighboring communities to meet water demands.
“The efficiencies and the output of the one completely remodeled treatment plant at Muldraugh was phenomenal,” said Dyrdek. “We have the other water treatment plant completely in mothballs and not needed. That makes for more robust systems.”
Fort Knox spans over 108,995 acres, with energy capabilities that make it one of the most enviable in the U.S. Army. The installation can tap into natural gas reserves, interstate gas transmission mains from outside the post, self-contained microgrid power generation, aquifer water resources and internal wastewater processing capabilities.
The award recognizes not only Fort Knox’s capability to draw its own water from the Ohio aquifer, but also the partnerships Fort Knox leaders have nurtured with Hardin County Water and the Louisville Water Company.
“This is about the partnerships as well as the command group here advocating for these strong systems that we have,” said Dyrdek. “In the energy world, water doesn’t always get recognized.”
Dyrdek admitted that they haven’t had to focus too intently on their water capabilities based on their geography.
“We live right by the Ohio River and sometimes take it for granted,” said Dyrdek. “Fort Huachuca in the middle of the Arizona desert doesn’t really think of it like we do. They’re very much focused on their water sources and resiliency.”
So, when the announcement came that Fort Knox had won for its water resiliency efforts, he said he was pleasantly surprised.
“My initial impressions when it was announced was, ‘Way to go, team!’” said Dyrdek. “If you can do a great job, do it quickly, and end up with better results for fire suppression and resiliency, that’s a win for everyone.”
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