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Airmen perform site survey at Kyrgz village for future water pump replacements

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alexandria Mosness
  • Air Forces Central Public Affairs
TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan --  Members from the Transit Center at Manas' Theater Security Cooperation division here performed a site survey in Jany-Jher Village Aug. 7, on water wells that need to be replaced.

The four well replacement project is slated to cost approximately $60,000, said Tech. Sgt. Daniel Chrisco, 376th AEW TSC humanitarian assistance division non commission officer in charge.

"We were asked to help out with the wells, and this is something we definitely want to help out with," he continued.

The well pumps were installed more than 70 years ago and replacements are much needed to keep water flowing correctly to the villagers, Chrisco added.

"The well pumps are undersize for application," he said. "The town has grown beyond the people. This system was designed between the 1930s and 1940s. It was built for 2,000 people and there are approximately 9,500 people who are using it nowadays.
And what this means for the villagers is very little water pressure.

"It's important to improve the quality and reliability of the water for these people," said Capt. Robert Bouffard, 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron project manager. "I enjoy getting out to the local communities and seeing the different cultures and the impact we have by helping out our partners.

"A few of the locations surveyed also pose health hazards. There are punctures in the lines which can let in contamination to the water system," Chriscoe said. "This is strictly a health concern--If you don't have clean drinking water, it can affect people's health."
And while the technical sergeant is used to dealing with plumbing and pipes in his career field, this experience is something he finds very rewarding.

"For civil engineering, we don't usually get to do this," said Chrisco who is deployed from Scott Air Force Base, Ill. "I definitely get personal satisfaction. We are affecting people's lives for generations. It is not only showing good faith to the Kyrgyz people that we are interested in their nation and quality of life, but also that we are generally here to help.

This will be the TSC's first full water project, Chrisco said. The humanitarian assistance division has also performed renovations on clinics, schools and local libraries.