As Fort Drum Command was learning early Thursday of the water main break that led to the entire city of Watertown and beyond to go without a water source, the post mobilized.

It switched off using city water, moved to its own system, and then began filling tanks with its water in preparation to deliver the tanks wherever they were needed.

“They're actually on a mission to support U.S. Northern Command,” 10th Mountain Division Deputy Commander Col. Matthew Braman said. “So they're on call for contingencies around the country. Now, we didn't anticipate that would occur here locally, but they were ready to do it no matter where."

By Thursday night, the soldiers were deployed just 20 minutes south to various spots around the city. They joined state crews and nearby communities in delivering much-needed water to places like the hospital and fire department, but also directly to people.

“We are so used to being called to deploy, to go overseas and help others. But to be able to help our own is, just brings a great sense of pride,” 10th Mountain Division CW2 Mynah Gilbert said.

“With that relationship, those things are happening behind the scenes daily that you don’t see, but now you are seeing it in action," Watertown Mayor Jeff Smith said. "You're seeing the Fort Drum soldiers out there, them delivering 18 to 20,000 gallons of water.”

By Friday afternoon, the main had been repaired and water returned to the city. However, the system will take a while to fill, so a conserve water advisory has been issued, as well as a boil water notice, for the next few days.

In averting a major crisis, the city and its Army got to show what working together can accomplish.

“We're part of this community, so it's not like we're doing something separate. Our people live in the town here. Half of our soldiers live off-base. All our children go to the schools locally, and we use the hospitals. So, we are part of the community. So really, we're helping ourselves, which is kind of unique. It's unlike any other place in the Army,” Braman said.

Fort Drum has on standby what's known as a temporary water purification system. It can take water directly out of a source, like the nearby Black River, and treat it in just a short amount of time, making it ready for use immediately. It can treat some 10,000 gallons a day.

That, however, is on standby because as of right now, thanks to the state, nearby communities and what Fort Drum has already done, that may not yet be needed.

There will be some changes to the way people can get water this weekend. Bottled water will no longer be given out, but bulk, potable water will be available at the Watertown Fairgrounds. You need to bring containers.