Transforming the military into a sophisticated, lighter force able to mobilize quickly in response to crises around the world requires technological advancement in the production and distribution of drinking water. Recent Operation evaluations for both bottled water and bulk water use indicates that significant improvements in safety, cost, taste, distribution, and security are required to meet the transformation goal. WaterVisions International has developed improved drinking water purification technology which utilizes advanced composite materials. These materials incorporate only food-grade components (no pesticides), are inexpensive to manufacture, and highly scalable. System purification performance has been independently verified and meets EPA regulations. The technology can be embedded in soldier and vehicle systems, used to improve bulk water production, and can improve the taste of bulk stored water. Phase I objectives include evaluating microbiological and chemical purification efficiencies for prototype components designed to be embedded into tactile systems including the soldier system. Lightweight devices will be fabricated which provide 6-log reductions in bacteria, 4-log reductions in viruses, and 3-log reductions in cysts. Strong interest from commercialization partners who are currently evaluating composites for use in residential water purification applications guarantees that this effort will impact both military and civilian organizations.
Benefits: Depending upon environmental conditions the individual solider requires 1.5 to 3 gallons of drinking water per day to prevent dehydration. Even slight dehydration dramatically effects the performance of soldiers. Therefore, a soldier must carry 12 to 24 pounds of water per day of mission duration or rely on daily resupply through the sustainment system. If the sustainment system is unable to provide the soldier with the required volume of water the soldier may be forced to drink locally available water risking disease and death. The water, often including tap water, may be unfit for consumption due to pathogenic organisms and high levels of suspended solids. The use of bottled water as a source of drinking water has proved in both Iraq and Afghanistan to present significant logistical problems. Bottled water is currently prepared in regions which are difficult to secure (Middle East) and distribution requires significant fuel and personnel time. Furthermore, bottled water does not reduce the volume/weight that a soldier must carry and does not guarantee drinking water that meets EPA/FDA standards for purity. Unfortunately, soldiers have become accustomed to the taste of bottled water. The Army and other agencies require an embedded purification technology which can reduce the logistics footprint of the force and ensure soldier readiness and safety when cut-off from lines of supply. The purification technology that is embedded into tactical systems must have a performance that is superior to currently available technology, protecting the soldier against naturally occurring pathogenic organisms as well as weaponized versions and suspended materials. The reduced demand for water distribution will reduce the projected daily sustainment requirement of the force by 20 to 40% improving sustainability and enhancing agility while protecting the soldiers against natural, military, and terrorist waterborne threats to the soldiers safety and readiness. Additionally, new technology must be capable of providing drinking water that meets the taste/odor desires of the soldier. Drinking water generated with WVI technology meets the needs of the Army and has passed taste/odor test at an International Beverage Company, at NSF, and at a major water filter company.
Keywords: drinking water microbiological composite material, health, tactical systems
