Krebs Architecture & Engineering, Inc. (Krebs) has received the 2009 Engineering Excellence Honor Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) in the category of Research and Consulting Engineering Services for their completed work on a three-year, four-phased evaluation of the Fort Benning Water Distribution System. Jason Dearing, PE, served as Project Manager for Krebs. Krebs was hired to help Columbus Water Works (CWW) develop plans for assessing the condition of the water distribution system, develop plans for operation and maintenance of the system, and develop a water distribution system computer model which would allow for the development of a water system master plan to meet to the anticipated needs of the Base Realignment and Closure Program (BRAC) at Fort Benning. Fort Benning currently houses approximately 34,000 military personnel and approximately 9,000 civilian workers. Population estimates show on post personnel could exceed 68,000 people by 2012.
The completed four-phased project associated with the Fort Benning water distribution system allowed CWW to operate, maintain, and expand the water system in such a manner that existing customers in Columbus and Fort Benning had minimal impact to their water quality, level of service and water rates. Additionally, all recommended improvements included consideration of existing and potential environmental conditions such as the long-term drought in Georgia, water quality issues and endangered species habitats.