WASHINGTON — A water maintenance project in Prince George’s County, Md., is having a profound effect on one of its residents, Joint Base Andrews.
The base, home to five air wings as well as Air Force One, went to a mission-essential personnel workforce at 9 p.m. Tuesday.
All military morale, welfare and recreation services including the commissary and exchange are closed, though officials emphasized that Andrews’ mission-essential air support would continue, and dormitory residents in base housing areas would be taken care of.
“Our civil engineers are working very hard to get water buffalos and other water capabilities to various locations around the base,” said Col. Bill Knight, 11th Wing/Joint Base Andrews commander, on the base Web page. “We are also distributing portable toilet facilities around the base tonight in support for all operations that will continue tomorrow.”
It was announced earlier in the week that more than 150,000 homes and businesses will be without water for up to five days as crews work to replace a section of a 54-inch water main. The outage was averted Wednesday when water authority officials announced that they have found a way to divert water around failing pipe, though restrictions will remain in place.
The problem is compounded by a heat wave that will bring temperatures to the upper 90s on Thursday and Friday, with heat indexes reaching as high as 110.
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