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CE targets water usage for Tinker energy savings efforts

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. O'Brien
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Often when the topic of energy is mentioned, people automatically think "electricity." But water, another natural resource, needs just as much attention, officials said.

At Tinker AFB, thousands of gallons of water are wasted, costing the Air Force big bucks. But it doesn't have to be that way; changes can be made, water can be saved. By working as a team, officials said Tinker can save money and conserve water.

"We need to find ways to get back on track," said Britton Young, Tinker's Energy Team point-of-contact. "We need to find efficient energy processes. In this environment where funds are tightening and the Air Force is making lots of cuts, let's save our resources and make cuts where it doesn't hurt people."

Ms. Young said much water is lost to leaks and circumstances beyond anyone's control such as pipes freezing in the winter. Instead of worrying about "what if" scenarios, she suggests looking at areas that can be controlled that don't interfere with effective processes.

One such example is the 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group's Chemical Cleaning Shop transformation project.

The shop, which washes aircraft parts in chemical-laden waters, had used roughly 160 million gallons of water each year -- until personnel started monitoring the flow of chemical-cleaning rinse water. An upcoming rapid improvement event will develop a strategy to improve the process through the elimination of waste in chemical cleaning.

Another option that has saved the Air Force money is visits from the Air Force Civil Engineering Support Agency.

Ms. Young said Tinker officials have been in talks with the agency to conduct a leak detection study. The survey would consist of a contractor coming on base to look for leaks. Once leaks are found, Tinker and AFCESA officials would brainstorm projects in which Air Force would pay to fix the leaks.

Ms. Young said agency personnel visited Tinker in 2010 to search for water and energy-conservation opportunities. Nine projects were validated by the Air Force. These projects are valued at approximately $10 million, and Air Force Materiel Command has provided $450,000 for their design.

"Everybody has to be a part of the energy team," Ms. Young said. "So, if you see a leak, don't assume somebody knows; this is a great big base. Find a supervisor or facility manager and tell them so they can get a work order started. There's no sense in using water just for leaks."