Photo By Sgt. Frank Zuniga | Spc. Samuel Diaz Paduani of the 105th Quarter Master Water Purification and...... read more read more
ZACAPA, Guatemala – Soldiers from the 105th Quarter Master Water Purification and Distribution Company from the Puerto Rico Army National Guard purified water for more than 230 soldiers here, Tuesday, May 13 in support of Beyond the Horizon 2014 – Guatemala. Beyond the Horizon is a joint operation between the United States, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Led by U.S. Army South, the operation’s intent is to show the United States’ continued commitment to these areas.
The main goal for the 105th is to purify local water and distribute it to U.S. troops.
“We ensure that everyone has water, be it for showers or drinking. Whatever the need, we’re the ones supplying it,” said Staff Sgt. Reynaldo Santiago, the Water Treatment Supervisor with the 105th.
Most of the job is done by the sophisticated machinery that Water Treatment Specialists use.
The Tactical Water Purification System (TWPS) does the purifying. Then a Water Treatment Specialist checks the pH and chlorine levels to ensure they’re correct. Then the water is stored in one of the collapsible water tanks that come in an assortment of sizes. The most common sizes used here are the 3,000-gallon and 20,000-gallon collapsible water tanks, said Spc. Erika Cruz Vega, a Water Treatment Specialist also with the 105th.
When someone needs some of the 32,000 gallons of water that’s ready for Task Force Oso consumption, the soldiers of the 105th distribute it through whatever means necessary.
“Some units bring their water buffalos to our area of operation or we go out with the Hippo to their location,” said Cruz. The “Hippo” is a water tank that is mounted on top of the M1120A4 Load Handling System.
So far, the 105th has yet to meet any sort of problems that create a water shortage.
“The biggest issue we had was with one of the pumps during the beginning. It wasn’t pumping enough water and we weren’t producing enough water. Besides that, there hasn’t been a problem,” said Santiago.
However, if there was a water crisis Santiago is more than confident that the 105th could handle it well.
“We still have a collapsible tank in storage and the TWPS is capable of purifying about 1,500 gallons of water per hour,” said Santiago.
Overall, the soldiers of the 105th have enjoyed their experience while participating in Beyond the Horizon.
“The maintenance and engineer units that come out are very supportive and professional. We would definitely work with them again, anywhere, any time,” stated Santiago.
| Date Taken: | 05.13.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 05.21.2014 16:07 |
| Story ID: | 130678 |
| Location: | ZACAPA, GT |
| Web Views: | 245 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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