MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 3 presented the Marine Corps’ new water purification systems to the commanding officer of Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Col. Brian Annichiarico, at Landing Zone Westfield, Sept. 17, 2013.
The Tactical Water Purification System and Lightweight Purification System are both replacing MCB Hawaii’s current Reverse Osmosis Purification Unit.
Marine Corps Base Hawaii is constantly working to improve disaster relief readiness. Annichiarico tasked CLB-3 with ensuring the base has potable water available in the event it experienced a natural disaster.
“We’re out here to show everyone we have the capability to pump, purify and provide fresh drinking water to the base,” said Sgt. Kevin Rodriguez, water chief of CLB-3. “We got out here early to set everything up for the base commander so he can see how everything works.”
Rodriguez gave Annichiarico a tour of the new systems and explained the process of how each system works to filter undrinkable water and purify it into clean drinking water.
"The process is a lot like smoothing wood with sandpaper,” Rodriguez explained of the desalination procedure. “The saltwater is gradually broken down as it makes its way through eight different components of the TWPS.”
With its main goal to provide enough filtered water to the base during an emergency, both the TWPS and LWPS have solid advantages over the outdated ROPU.
“Both of these systems are the latest and greatest things when it comes to water purification systems,” said Lance Cpl. Stacey Smith, a water support technician with CLB-3. “The main advantage these systems have over the ROPU is that they purify water so much faster and cleaner. Currently on the TWPS, I’m filtering 12 gallons of freshwater per minute.”
The TWPS, the larger unit, is the louder of the two systems but can filter an average of 1,200 gallons of freshwater per hour. It is be used for large-scale purification when needed.
The LWPS, the smaller and quieter unit, is used for small-scale purification or when water needs to be pumped quick and quietly.
Because the systems pump straight from the ocean, some concerns were raised about the systems’ environmental impacts. Speculation was put to rest when Rodiguez confirmed the systems would not have any environmental impact.
At the conclusion of his tour, Annichiarico tasted the filtered water, saying it tasted good.
The CLB-3 Marines remained at LZ Westfield through the night to continue filtering water to test the systems’ consistency.
“All of the other bases have a current plan for disaster relief, so we’re out here to show we’re just as prepared,” said Lance Cpl. Colby Wallace, a hygiene equipment operator with CLB-3. “The system is running smoothly and is filtering roughly 1,800 gallons of water per hour. That’s a lot!”