PART E - MANAGING OCEAN INTAKE STRUCTURE SYSTEM
Water Purification at Coastal Sites. Tactical water support operations may require that you deploy
purification equipment to operate on coastal raw water sources. This part is intended to provide some insight
into techniques and procedures necessary to overcome operational difficulties associated with water
purification at coastal sites.
Safety Considerations. Just as in regular land-based operations, high voltages are used in the
operation of OISS equipment. Death on contact may result if personnel fail to observe safety precautions.
The equipment's electrical circuits contain high voltages when in operation. Do not attempt inspection or
maintenance while equipment is connected to a power source. Failure to do so may result in injury or death
to personnel.
When wellpoints are being installed, the area near the hole may fluidize creating a wider hole. This could
result in loss of solid footing, and an operator could fall into the hole being drilled. This could also result in
death by drowning. Ensure that there is someone nearby who may render assistance while wellpoints are
being drilled.
Operation of OISS and ROWPU. The OISS is designed to extract seawater from the ocean to the
600-GPH and 3,000-GPH ROWPU. (It can also be used for freshwater sources.) It is used in three different
ways to match the environmental conditions of an ocean site. For sandy beach areas and optimum
performance, the wellpoints are jetted into the ocean floor using water to fluidize the sand and sink the
wellpoint.
Two additional methods are used when conditions will not permit jetting of the wellpoints. They are the
horizontal and vertical position methods that allow the wellpoints to be placed directly in the water. In the
horizontal position method, the wellpoints are laid flat in the water on the ocean floor with the wellpoints
attached to metal stakes that have been driven into the ocean floor. In the vertical position method, the
wellpoints are secured by an anchor and a float on the surface leading down to the intake screens on the
bottom.
OISS Problems and Solutions in Coastal Operations.
Reconnaissance: One of the first steps in establishing water purification operations is to conduct a
water reconnaissance. The MMC in the DISCOM, COSCOM, and TAACOM is responsible for providing
detailed information concerning the status of water supply throughout its respective areas to the supporting
water unit. The supporting water unit, in coordination with the appropriate MMC and rear area terrain
manager in the rear CP, directs the water supply section leader to seek new water supply operational sites in
support of tactical combat operations. The water supply section leader is responsible for managing and
performing reconnaissance of new operational sites for water supply operations. Water reconnaissance is a
special type of survey made to gather information about potential water purification sites and bulk water
storage and distribution sites. Given the requirement to conduct a water reconnaissance, you should direct
the reconnaissance team to conduct an aerial reconnaissance using a helicopter and conduct a ground
reconnaissance using a military standard vehicle. In addition, you should brief members on the
reconnaissance mission and select a site that provides:
The best routes of communication, cover, and concealment.
Adequate dispersion factors/site conditions and the least site preparation.
Sufficient water quantity and quality that meet raw water quality standards (Table 1-4).
The water section leader may supervise the site reconnaissance, or he may direct one of his water
purification NCOs to lead the team. In either case, a water treatment specialist, MOS 77W, must be present.
A representative of the command surgeon should be present on the reconnaissance, if possible. A water
detection team from the Corps of Engineers may be available. They have access to the water resource data
base. This database can provide detailed surface and ground hydrologic information for selected areas of
the world.
When planning a reconnaissance, the G2/S2 is the source for information concerning ground/air
reconnaissance and surveillance, imagery (photos), human intelligence from interrogations of EPW/POWs,
and other sources of terrain and technical intelligence. When gathering intelligence for potential coastal
water sites, be sure to include tidal charts and coastal maps. Any information you can gather from the local
population should also be included; they will know the history and characteristics of the beach.
1-14
QM 4923
Previous Page
