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Seabees Get Potable Water Flowing in Djibouti

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081203-08
Release Date: 12/3/2008 6:01:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SCW/SW/AW) Ronald Gutridge, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 Det. Horn of Africa Public Affairs

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti (NNS) -- A crew of four Seabees attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4, based out of Naval Base Ventura County, Calif., is currently constructing a second reverse osmosis water purification unit (ROWPU), aboard Camp Lemonier to provide additional potable water to meet the camp's demand.

The treatment of water is necessary to prevent various waterborne diseases such as typhoid and dysentery. Treatment processes must control certain chemical and physical characteristics of water such as hardness or unpleasant taste. The function of the ROWPU
is not only to make water safe for human consumption but also make water less scale forming and more suitable for use in laundries, shower facilities, dining facilities and other places.

With the help of the Pacific Architects and Engineering (PAE) contract employees, the Seabees are installing three, 63 inch by 113 inch water filters, called reverse osmosis, or RO elements, mounted on a concrete foundation that the Seabees previously constructed.

These elements are the backbone of the ROWPU system and are critical to the purification of untreated water. After the first RO element was installed, half the crew started connecting the plumbing and 18 pneumatic control valves, used to control water pressure and flow, as the other half continued placing the remaining two filters.

"This particular project is providing this crew a lot of valuable training on the ROWPU's," said Utilitiesman 2nd Class (SCW) Sammy German, project crew leader. "Being deployed to a part of the world where clean water is almost impossible to access, this system improves the quality of life for not only service members but to everybody that lives or works on this camp. My crew is proud knowing what they are doing will benefit future deployments here for years to come."

The ROWPU can produce potable water from a variety of raw water sources such as wells, lakes, rivers and oceans. The water for Camp Lemonier's ROWPUs is supplied by six wells located in the surrounding Djibouti area and one well on camp.

The camp currently uses an estimated 190,000 gallons of water per day produced by the main ROWPU. Once complete, the second ROWPU will produce an additional 350,000 gallons of potable water per day. Not only will it produce the additional water, it will also act as a backup system for when the main ROWPU is being cleaned or serviced.

Because of the strict quality control guidelines, the water is tested for purity on a daily basis and meets or exceeds all required standards according to the Camp Lemonier Medical Department. The Seabee crew will also install an air-operated auto backwash system used to clean the second set of RO elements. A timer system will be installed to control the backwash periods between the two systems, ensuring potable water is being produced at all times. With the proper cleaning and maintenance, these filters are designed to last for more than 20 years.

The camps drinking water supply was certified as potable Oct. 27, potentially saving the military more than $3 million a year in bottled water needed for the camp personnel's daily needs according to Camp Lemonier's Supply Department.

Before the certification, Camp Lemonier depended on several outside vendors to supply potable water. Rising costs and uncertifiable water was an ongoing battle. Also, the dependability of on-time delivery was always at stake. By early February 2009 the second ROWPU is scheduled to be fully operational, providing enough certified potable water to meet the camp's water demand.

"It puts my mind at ease knowing that when I brush my teeth or have a drink out of the fountains at the dining facility, it is healthy and safe," said Constructionman Thong Nguyen of NMCB 4, "It is a good feeling to know that I took part in making this possible."

NMCB 4 is on a six-month deployment in support of Combined Joint Task Force–Horn of Africa, completing missions in various countries in Eastern Africa.

For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4, visit www.navy.mil/local/nmcb4/.