CROW VALLEY, Philippines -- Everyone needs water; especially Marines and sailors working hard in the Philippines in 90-degree heat. The process to make water potable, however, is a challenge in every clime and place.
Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 3 and Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, are working hard to provide potable water in Crow Valley where they’re preparing for Exercise Balikatan 2012.
“Our goal is to solely support all 500 Marines on the camp with potable water using our (Tactical Water Purification System),” said Capt. Steve L. Draper, logistics officer, Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. “This is the most expeditionary means of producing water, and by remaining sustainable, we’ve completed a phenomenal mission-essential task.”
To complete their mission, a team of hygiene equipment operators set up the TWPS near an approved raw water source; in this case the O’Donnell River. After determining a good spot, they dug a large, knee-deep pit to channel water below sea level, which was difficult because the river is shallow during the drier-than-normal month of April.
“It’s crucial to have a sustainable amount of water at all times,” said Lance Cpl. Cory B. Smith, hygiene equipment operator, CLB-3. “Before, we had to wait for water trucks to come in from the local [water source] to start purifying water, and that wasn’t enough to meet our camp’s needs.”
Water from the pit is pumped into a large bladder before it reaches the TWPS. Once flowing through the system, the raw water flows through five different cleansing elements and 12 filters, according to Smith. After the process is completed, the water can be used in the dining facility, for showers or anywhere else it’s needed.
A new alternative to the TWPS, called the Aspen 5500, is also being used during the exercise. Unlike the large and complicated TWPS, the experimental Aspen 5500 comes in two waist-high cases and can be operated by one person. It is described by its operators as the future of water purification.
U. S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, Experimentation Center at Camp H.M. Smith in Hawaii lent the equipment to Philippine Army Staff Sgt. William B. Casta, command engineer, National Defense Support Command. Casta previously used the Aspen 5500 for humanitarian and disaster relief during the flooding in Palawan in December 2011.
“The machine is very reliable, and I like that I can operate it on my own,” Casta said. “It’s really comfortable to use, and I’m looking forward to using it at other locations during the exercise.”
The Aspen 5500 will be used solely for shower water at the camp, but can produce potable water for any need. The “Water Dogs” plan to work hard to meet the water demands of the camp and complete their mission successfully.
“All this training validates our expeditionary nature and proves we can get water with organic equipment and manpower,” Draper said.