Camp Grip Wells

Project Scope and Purpose

This project was to provide clean drinking water and an improved septic system to the Camp Grip Forward Operating Base for CBP.  The base is located approximately 40 miles into the desert from the nearest paved road and serves as a base for CBP patrol personnel.  The site includes berthing, kitchen, office spaces and a helipad.  The work was required due to concerns of water quality at the base and the need to replace the aging septic system.  Access to the site is complicated by the rough condition of the roadways leading to the site.  The 40 mile dirt and gravel road includes sections that were flooding, consisted of deep sand pits and were generally rutted out.  The project included all design, permitting, drilling, and installation of the new domestic water supply well, treatment system, septic system, and demolition and capping of existing tank and leach field line. 

Specific Work Details

Sustainable features included the design of the treatment and pumping system to minimize power requirements.  The treatment container was designed with insulation and thermal controls that minimized the use of AC and heating requirements.  We also designed the pumping and water controls to minimize the on/off pumping from the well. 

Civil:  Civil work included the design and installation of utility pipelines, underground septic tanks and leach field, underground electrical service and general grading once the work was completed.

Electrical:  The treatment system and pumping systems were designed to minimize power requirements.  Additionally, the treatment container was designed with insulation and thermal controls that minimized the use of AC and heating requirements.  

Mechanical:  Mechanical work included the design and installation of new water well, well pumps, water storage tanks and piping, advanced water treatment system and treated water storage.  The system design included the testing of the well water and then subsequent design of a customized treatment system to address natural elements in the well water.  Included in this treatment was treatment of naturally occurring uranium among other elements.  The system included pumping and storage of the raw and treated water to ensure adequate supply for the needs of the site.

Environmental:  This project was located within a National Wildlife Refuge and as such required close coordination with the government to minimize all construction activities to just what was required.  We also had to receive special permission for camping and overnight work at the sites, specifically because it was located 2 hours from the nearest paved roadway.

Demonstrate Efficient Construction Management Practices and Flexibility While Construction Activities are Constrained by Customer Mission Requirements:  The Camp Grip Forward Operating Base (FOB) is located over 3 hours from the nearest paved road and provides an operational base for Border Patrol agents in the field.  The site is used as a secure location for Border Patrol agents to carry out patrols in the desert.  Being remote, the site houses residential and operational functions that minimize travel time to the border.  The site is controlled to eliminate unauthorized access to the base.  The work included security for the new mechanical, water treatment and electrical systems installed by MCS.  These systems included security locks, tie-in to the existing base security systems and anti-vandalism / anti-tampering devices.  Because the base was operational throughout the project and due to the need to perform the drilling operation 24-hours a day, our personnel hauled in trailers and stayed on-site during the installation and development of the well and construction of the septic system.