CHAPTER 5,13 WATERWORKS SYSTEMS The Reconnaissance Report outlined in considerable detail the water supply requirements and tentative design criteria applicable to the various island installations of the Proving Ground. By the time final design and working drawings for these installations were undertaken, the following basic factors and governing conditions were recognized: 1. Waterworks plant and systems installed would be no more ex- tensive than could be justified on a two-use basis; i.e., the service required by the conduction of two complete series of atomic weapons test programs. 2. Each island installation would require its own individual 3. Brackish water would be supplied to outlets not requiring potable water, This service would include wash down outlet, toilet flushing, fire protection service, ‘and similar connections. 4. Fresh water for each island installation would of necessity be obtained from the distillation of brackish water obtained from the sea or from shallow dug wells, 5. The use and therefore the production of distilled water would be minimized by supplying such water only to outlets requir- waterworks, ing potable water; i.e., lavatories, drinking fountains, showers, mess halks, photo laboratories, CMR and NRLK build- ings, laundries, animal runs, and similar service connections. Thus a dual or split water distribution system would be required in some instances, 6. Further conservation of the use of distilled water would be accomplished by maintaining minimum permissible operating pressures upon the distribution systems, 7. In the interest of flexibility of construction, operation, and maintenance of the waterworks systems, items of equipment would be standardized where feasible, This would permit maximum interchangeability of units of equipment and produce optimum operating results, 8. Rain water collection as a supply of fresh water was not con- sidered to be feasible because of the radicasééwe contamination hazard existing in the atoll and because the quantity of water which would be made available would be insufficient. 5-185