Photo By Sgt. Judith Dacosta | Spc. Troy Glessner, a 641st Fuel Water Detachment water treatment specialist, primes a...... read more read more
BALAD, Iraq-Unless you are a part of the 641st Fuel Water Detachment stationed at Logistical Support Area Anaconda, the term ROWPU may be just another Army acronym. The term stands for Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit. Despite its little known acronym, it is an efficient system used to provide purified water to troops, civilians and anyone else who can turn the handle of a faucet here on LSA Anaconda.
At the LSA, ROWPUs run all the time and are the main source of purified water, said 2nd Lt. Michael Ketcham, a 641st FWD water platoon leader.
He said they currently produce approximately 150,000 gallons of water per day and can produce up to 400,000 gallons per day.
Ketcham said customer satisfaction is their biggest concern.
"We run a 24-hour operation so that there won't be any shower [water] shortage," said Ketcham. "Being able to take showers boosts morale."
The water that is siphoned through the filtration system is first gathered from the Tigris River.
"We check each pump and make sure it is primed every morning," said Staff Sgt. Ralf Mosley, the 641st FWD NCOIC.
"Water runs through one of several hoses into one of the ROWPUs here on the LSA," said Ketcham.
These mobile-mounted trailer units stand ready to redeploy in a couple of hours, said Spc. Troy Glessner, a 641st FWD water treatment specialist.
Inside the ROWPU the water travels through the micro filtration system " five levels of sand and a filter composed of finely woven yarn, said Glessner.
In the past few months water purification has been a challenge because of cold weather, said Ketcham.
"It is harder to purify cold water because it is denser and therefore harder to push through our micro filtration system," said Ketcham.
Once the process of reverse osmosis is complete, 99.7 percent of contaminants in the water are removed, said Glessner.
The overall process allows in individuals to brush their teeth, rid their bodies of strange odors and abide in a cleaner environment fit for eating, sleeping and working.
ROWPUs may not be associated with Morale, Welfare and Recreation; but they boost the morale of everyone on the LSA and anyone can benefit from it at anytime.
With summer months and temperatures of 128 degrees, or more, quickly approaching, troops will definitely express their gratitude for cold showers and the potable water that is constantly available on the LSA.
| Date Taken: | 05.19.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 05.19.2006 06:53 |
| Story ID: | 6442 |
| Location: | BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 145 |
| Downloads: | 68 |
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