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| Obtaining and Purifying Water in Iraq | ||||
| During
Operation Iraqi Freedom, the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR)
was responsible for a large portion of north and northwest Iraq.
The 3d ACR Support Squadron, or “Muleskinner Squadron,” set
up operations on an Iraqi air base near Al Asad, which eventually
came to be known as Camp Webster. Responsible for the logistics
support of an entire regiment and its attachments, the Muleskinner
Squadron successfully pushed every class of supply and sustained
the 3d ACR’s high level of operational readiness. Water supply was a major concern in continuing combat operations. To move logistics as far forward as possible and decrease reliance on rear support areas, the Muleskinners needed to establish a centralized water production site capable of supporting 3d ACR’s three line squadrons and one air squadron. Camp Webster was situated near the Euphrates River. However, because security was a concern and separating the reverse osmosis water purification unit (ROWPU) section (the “water dawgs”) from the rest of the Muleskinners’ Supply and Transportation Troop would have stretched life-support assets, the water purification section turned their focus toward finding a water source within Al Asad’s public works systems. |
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| As
with most modern air bases, Al Asad was equipped with an intricate
net of
fire hydrants. The water
dawgs tapped into the hydrant network and redirected the water
to a 400,000-gallon outdoor swimming pool. Once the pool was
filled, it served as a manmade water source for the ROWPUs. The
hydrant water was cleaner than the Euphrates River, so using
it increased the life of the ROWPU filters and decreased the
amount of chemicals needed to purify the water for consumption.
The entire operation—four ROWPU systems and a 50,000-gallon
storage bag—yielded between 50,000 and 70,000 gallons of
water daily. Fifty percent of the water pumped through the ROWPU
from the pool was potable, compared to 30 percent of the water
pumped from the river. The water in the pool was fairly clean
since it came from the Iraqi water system. So, after it was treated,
the brine (water that has been through the ROWPU but still is
not potable) was adequate for nonpotable uses because it had
all but the suspended solids removed from it. The water dawgs
successfully provided potable water to the entire 3d ACR and
attachments for most of their mission during Operation Iraqi
Freedom. The Importance of Water Fuel and water are the lifeblood of any conflict. However, the importance of water is even greater in arid regions like Iraq. Heatstroke affects 1 out of every 1,000 soldiers in arid regions. Because people need to drink more water in desert areas, yet less is available, the military has become increasingly more inventive in finding ways to resource this vital fluid. In these regions, the onus is on the support elements to find alternate sources of the water needed for continued mission achievement. During the last two decades, the U.S. military has repeatedly found itself involved in arid regions. Based on current trends, it is safe to assume that the United States may in fact continue to operate in these areas in the coming years. If this is the case, water supply could be a problem for U.S. forces. How to Obtain Water One of the most important planning factors when considering water requirements is the operational environment. With the increased use of technology and the implementation of 21st century warfighting techniques, the world has seen combat stray from the battlefields of yesterday into the major cities of today. The most efficient and successful sources of water during deployment often are host nation support systems. Bottled or processed water may not be available in theater. However, municipal or private fixed facilities may be used if their water sources are certified as potable and are readily available. When potable water is not available, the Army’s answer to bulk water resupply is the ROWPU. The ROWPU system’s primary purpose is to extract bulk water from almost any source, purify it using a series of media separator filters and chemical cleaners, and dispense it for consumption. The ROWPU’s ability to draw from almost any water source has made it an invaluable asset in arid regions. The only limiting factor for using ROWPUs in an arid environment is the low number of available, viable water sources. Where to Locate the Water Supply Point Sound logistics practices require water supply points to be as far forward as possible. The most forward location is usually the brigade support area, and, if this area happens to be urbanized, the closest water source may be a public works system and not a nearby river or lake. In that case, water can be drawn from sources within the infrastructure of the area of operations. Existing water facilities often can be used with less time, effort, and equipment than it would take to develop a new field source such as a river or lake. Sources to be considered include reservoirs, manmade wells, fire hydrant systems, irrigation systems, water plants, water towers, quarries, and swimming pools. |
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| How MOUT Affects Water Supply Most urban areas in arid regions are located close to existing water sources. Since future combat most likely will be in military operations on urbanized terrain (MOUT) environments, U.S. forces probably will operate near a water source in arid regions. That water source no doubt will be a sustaining factor for the local populace and also can be so for U.S. troops. Logisticians should take into consideration if the water in the region is potable. Potable water is not required for all uses (see chart above). However, to preclude the need for two separate water systems, Army doctrine requires that all water needs be met with potable water. When setting up operations in urban areas, security concerns, disease issues, or overall stability of the terrain may preclude establishing a water purification and distribution point at a potential water source. Water purification personnel are especially susceptible to waterborne diseases, such as malaria and schistosomiasis, that are common around water sources in undeveloped nations. Rivers and lakes are ideal insect breeding areas, especially for mosquitoes hosting diseases like malaria. [Schistosomiasis is a waterborne disease contracted by walking or working in contaminated water containing the larvae of certain schistosomes and may result in infection and gradual destruction of the tissues of the kidneys, liver, and other organs.] Advantages of Using Existing Facilities Article 54 of the Geneva Convention, Protocol 1, adopted in 1977, states that military forces are prohibited from attacking, destroying, or rendering useless “drinking water installations and supplies and irrigation works.” Military forces cannot take actions against these objects if they will leave the civilian population with such inadequate food or water as to cause its starvation or force its movement. Although this seems restrictive, one interpretation is that military forces can use host nation “drinking water installations and supplies and irrigation works” for their troops as long as the local populace is not adversely affected. That being said, water drawn from existing facilities and ground water sources is often a better option than surface sources such as rivers, lakes, and oceans. Water from existing facilities generally has fewer chemical and biological contaminants than surface water. Using existing facilities and ground water sources requires fewer chemicals and filters in the purification process. In addition to limiting the use of expendable supplies, using existing facilities or ground water sources has another advantage. If military forces aggressively occupy an area, the power needed to operate water pumps and plants may not be available. Regardless of power sources, manmade water sources are almost always gravity-fed at some level. Therefore, water can still be drawn from external sources such as hydrants, pipes, and wells. Overall, the possibilities for water sources within urbanized environments are nearly limitless. The key to capitalizing on the many benefits of using one of these sources is good reconnaissance and planning. Logistics units conducting water support missions should be both innovative and flexible. The world is three-fourths water; it is just a matter of finding the right place to tap into it. ALOG First Lieutenant Jarred Wm. Guthrie is serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment. He has bachelor’s degrees in systems engineering and American legal studies from the U.S. Military Academy and is a graduate of the Quartermaster Officer Basic Course. |