CHAPTER V, SECTIONS 4 and 5 where it could be skimmed off. After several months of operation the organic substance disappeared from this well. at Elmer was renewed because corrosion had sO thinned the metal plates that structural failure All metal piping and fittings suffered from SEWER SYSTEMS. Maintenance of sewer systems was primarily concerned with prevent- the corrosive action of salt water and from loss of aperture and plugging due to salt deposits and metallic oxide. The salt water header in the distillation plant at site Elmer had to be completely renewed. All the pump casings in the CMR system required lifting and repairs as corrosion took place in the threaded joints and the casings separated. The salt water tank was considered probable. ing the clogging of service lines and mains. Heavy paper towels and other trash were thrown in toilets, wash basins and urinals; excessive oxidizing of metal lines also took place. Because of the flat terrain of the various campsites and the consequent low gradients of the sewage collection systems, periodic flushing was required. SECTION 5 AIRSTRIPS AND ROADS AIRFIELDS. Asthe airfields on sites Elmer and Fred at Eniwetok Atoll were completely re- patching was required. A power broom was used for sweeping when necessary. was newly constructed for the CASTLEtest pro- The roads on all islands at Bikini were, on the whole, satisfactory and maintenance con- conditioned, and the one on Peter-Oboe at Bikini gram, maintenanceby itself was limited in scope. Primarily, this consisted of small patchwork, patrolling, watering and rolling only as aircraft operations warranted. The intense use of the Fred airstrip during OPERATION CASTLE did result in dislodgement of the dust palliative stabilized areas, and future retreatment will be necessary. sisted of the occasional use of the motorpatrol. The road between Fox and George became in- undated during a few very high tides or storms and after the water drained off it was necessary to remove the accumulated debris (Figure 5-1). The causeways, built of earth and rock-fill, suffered heavily from storms and high tides; ROADS. All roads, except those on Fred, were satisfactorily constructed and maintained without bitumul finish. The patrol grader was used on schedule, and also after heavy storms, to maintain the surface. A water truck was used to allay the dust during prolonged rainless periods. The bitumul-treated roads on Fred, though frequently used by tractored vehicles and other heavy equipment, stood up very well. Some Figure 5-1. erosion was excessive during these periods. When this ocurred it was necessary to haul replace- ment fill and then re-blade. An aggravated erosion condition which appeared to threaten the Operation on the Ruby-Sally causeway was alleviated by constructing on the ocean side of the causeway a bulkhead of steel rails and two- inch boards, which was then back filled. Generally a stockpile of fine aggregate was maintained on various sites which was used, as necessary, to maintain roads andstabilized areas. Road between Fox and George Page 5-5