SOUTWEST ASIA -- Multiple units from around The Rock joined forces to design and create a water filtration system for the two dining facilities on base at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, estimated to save more than $12,000 a month.
The 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, Expeditionary Force Support Squadron and Expeditionary Medial Group all had a part in bringing this project to life, ensuring the transition from bottled water to filtered drinking water is still safe to use for cooking and drinking.
“The system changes the day-to-day operations by allowing the employees to use the piped water for cooking,” said Master Sgt. Katrina Ware, 386th EFSS food section chief. “It takes about four hours to transport bottled water, 160 gallons, in and out of the DFAC daily without the filters.”
The filtration system consists of three stages, the particulate filter that removes coarse materials, the second stage is carbon filtration, the removal of chemicals in the water, and the final stage, the Ultra Violet filter, kills any and all bacteria.
“Between the two different filters and the UV, it should strip out just about everything [harmful],” said Lt. Col. Christopher Cutler, 386th EMDG medical support flight commander. “The water will be just as good, of course people have their personal preferences, but it will be just as healthy.”
With the new water filtration system, fountain drink machine will be able to be installed, also saving the Air Force money in canned carbonated beverages.
“The new system kills 99.9% of waterborne microorganisms,” said Ware. “Knowing that the system kills the majority of bacteria coming into the facility, this is another step against contamination with washing, rinsing, and sanitizing all food contact surfaces.”
The installation has been mostly behind the scenes, so that those who eat regularly at the DFAC probably won’t notice the difference until the new fountain drink machines are installed, said Ware.
The filters, designed to be portable, were made by the 386th ECES and each took about a week to build. The entire system fits inside a shipping container and can be transported via forklift wherever it needs to go. It took the team about a week to build each unit and another to install them.
“We took the lessons learned with the first unit to make the building and installing of the second as smooth as possible,” said Master Sgt. Aaron Engelke, 386th ECES water and fuel systems maintenance noncommissioned officer in charge. “My team has done a great job, I think they’re doing outstanding.”