6.15 Potable Water Supply Requirements for Ground Forces

Question 1

Responsibilities of Unit Commander

Answer 1

Ensures sufficient quantities of safe water for drinking
enforce water discipline
inform troops of dangers of consuming untreated water
proper methods of disinfection

Question 2

Responsibilities of Engineering Officer

Answer 2

provides potable water quantities for the population
construction, operation adn maintenance of facilities
selecting sources of raw water

Question 3

Responsibilities of Medical Department

Answer 3

advises the commanding officer
assists in selection of water sources and surveying potable water system
conduct routine bacti
test water for halogen
inform engineers on type of treatment required
chemical analysis of field water supplies

Question 4

influences on water choice

Answer 4

quality
quantity
accessibility

Question 5

Public water supply

Answer 5

easiest and safest sources
water has been treated to some extent
unsafe until approved
evaluate and treat to make water safe

Question 6

Surface Water

Answer 6

more accessible than other sources 
quality may be a problem 
more contaminated 
adequate quantities 
RIVERS, STREAMS, LAKES, PONDS, SEAS AND OCEANS

Question 7

Ground water

Answer 7

existing wells and springs
less contaminated
difficult to determine quantities
located at least 30 yds upgradient

Question 8

field water treatment process

Answer 8

straining 
chemical addition 
coagulation 
sedimentation 
filtration

Question 9

Military ROWPU

Answer 9

Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit 
*Most Common
can come from 
- fresh water 
- brackish water 
- sea water

Question 10

Marine Corps Lightweight Medium Tactical freshwater purification unit

Answer 10

Non reversible osmosis
produces 3,000 gallons per hour
only used in treating fresh water

Question 11

Lightweight Water Purifier (LWP)

Answer 11

used for small military units, specs ops forces
125 gallons per hour
more mobile

Question 12

Tactical water purification system

Answer 12

International Organization for Standardization

1500 gallons per hour

Question 13

chlorination

Answer 13

most common method

sufficient chlorine is added to water to achieve FAC after 30 min contact time

Question 14

Different types of disinfectants

Answer 14

calcium hypochlorite (HTH) 65-70%
sodium hypochlorite 5-10%
chlorine dioxide 
chlorine gas 
bromine 
chloramines ozone 
UV radiation

Question 15

Describe the disinfection of natural surface water/well water when connected to surface water for drinking

Answer 15

5ppm FAC after 30 mins

EMERGENCY ONLY

Question 16

How many tablets of iodine per quart of water

Answer 16

two iodine tablets

Question 17

Potable water storage and distribution system

Answer 17

primary means for the receipt and storage of bulk drinking water

Question 18

3,000 gallon tank

Answer 18

highly mobile, easily transportable manually inflatable/collapsible

Question 19

Load handling system (LHS) water tank rack (hippo)

Answer 19

2,000 gallon tank

Question 20

Forward Area Water Point Supply System

Answer 20

Portable, self contained

employs centrifugal pump to distribute water

Question 21

Semitrailer-mounted Fabric Tank

Answer 21

3,000-5,000 gallons

collapsible rubberized tanks

Question 22

Tactical Water Distribution System (TWDS)

Answer 22

Highly mobile

designed to distribute water for distance up to 10 miles on level terrain

Question 23

Water distribution and waste management system (WDWMS)

Answer 23

Water distribution set
hospital
Deployable Medical System (DEPMEDS)
Primary means for receipt and storage of bulk potable water

Question 24

400 gallon water trailer

Answer 24

used to distribute drinking water to field units

Question 25

5 gallon water

Answer 25

unit water storage

Question 26

Individual water storage equipment

Answer 26

1-2 quarts canteen
personal hydration system
45-100oz capacity

Question 27

800 gallon unit water pod system (camel)

Answer 27

under development

Question 28

disinfecting method 1

Answer 28

chlorinate to 100ppm FAC
run some solution through valves and spigots
keep all interior surfaces wet for 60mins
drain water
rinse the container and spigots twice

Question 29

Disinfecting Method 2

Answer 29

prepare 5 gal water with 100ppm chlorine

long handled brush, stick or rod w/ cloth, swab interior of tank every 10 mins, keeping tank wet for 60 mins