CEMP-E
TI 814-01
3 August 1998
CHAPTER 4
WATER SUPPLY SOURCES
4-1. GENERAL. Water supplies may be obtained from surface or ground sources, by
expansion of existing systems, or by purchase from other systems. The selection of a source
of supply will be based on water availability, adequacy, quality, cost of development and
operation and the expected life of the project to be served. In general, all alternative sources
of supply should be evaluated to the extent necessary to provide a valid assessment of their
value for a specific installation. Alternative sources of supply include purchase of water from
U.S. Government owned or other public or private systems, as well as consideration of
development or expansion of independent ground and surface sources. A combination of
surface and ground water, while not generally employed, may be advantageous under some
circumstances and should receive consideration. Economic, as well as physical, factor must
be evaluated. The final selection of the water source will be determined by feasibility studies,
considering all engineering, economic, energy and environmental factors.
4-2. USE OF EXISTING SYSTEMS. Most water supply projects for military installations
involve expansion or upgrading of existing supply works rather than development of new
sources. If there is an existing water supply under the jurisdiction of the Department of the
Army, Air Force, or other U.S. Government agency, thorough investigation will be made to
determine its capacity and reliability and the possible arrangements that might be made for its
use with or without enlargement. The economics of utilizing the existing supply should be
compared with the economics of reasonable alternatives. If the amount of water taken from an
existing source is to be increased, the ability of the existing source to supply estimated water
requirements during drought periods must be fully addressed. Also, potential changes in the
quality of the raw water due to the increased rate of withdrawal must receive consideration.
4-3. OTHER WATER SYSTEMS. If the installation is located near a municipality or other
public or private agency operating a water supply system, this system should be investigated
to determine its ability to provide reliable water service to the installation at reasonable cost.
The investigation must consider future as well as current needs of the existing system and, in
addition, the impact of the military project on the water supply requirements in the existing
water service area. Among the important matters that must be considered are: quality of the
supply; adequacy of the supply during severe droughts; reliability and adequacy of raw water
pumping and transmission facilities; treatment plant and equipment; high service pumping;
storage and distribution facilities; facilities for transmission from the existing supply system to
the military project; and costs. In situations where a long supply line is required between the
existing supply and the installation, a study will be made of the economic size of the pipeline,
taking into consideration cost of construction, useful life, cost of operation, and minimum use
of materials. With a single supply line, the on-site water storage must be adequate to support
the mission requirement of the installation for its emergency period. A further requirement is
an assessment of the adequacy of management, operation, and maintenance of the public
water supply system.
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