Team Kirtland scores big win in environmental award Published Jan. 10, 2008 KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico -- The 2007 Federal Energy and Water Management awards have been presented each year since 1981 by the Department of Energy and the Federal Interagency Policy committee. The 2007 winners were selected from nominations submitted by 17 federal agencies. In October 2007, Team Kirtland won the water conservation award for a small group as a result of their achievements, along with six other Air Force bases, who were presented the award in other categories. The award is given to individuals, teams, and organizations throughout the federal government that save tax payers more than $18 million in energy costs over one year through energy efficiency improvements and innovative project management strategies. Team Kirtland won the Highest Achievement award, the 2007 Energy and Water Management Gold award which was presented to Col. Mohsen Parhizkar, 377th Air Base Wing vice commander, recently. Some of the energy efficiency accomplishments that led in receiving the awards included a contract to perform a 108-mile water distribution leak detection survey. Thirty-one leaks were identified and repaired with an estimated savings of 175 million gallons of water a year. This amount of gallons is about 16 percent of Kirtland AFB's 2006 water usage and is valued at more than $328,000 if it were purchased for Albuquerque. Leak detection devices and programming equipment will now enable base maintenance personnel to find areas where leaks may develop in the future. Additionally, Kirtland AFB was able to modify the water and sewer contract with Albuquerque by 53 percent to reflect the reduction in sewer flow through this reduced water use that will save almost 454 million gallons and an additional $250,000 a year. Installation of a computerized landscape master control system on 27.5 acres to control irrigation, runoff, and leaks has the potential to save more than 11 million additional gallons.