(1) Water for drinking replenishes body fluid losses from breathing, sweating, and
urination. Figures are derived from a daily physical exertion profile consisting of 15 percent light, 65
percent medium, and 20 percent heavy physical exertion. In integrated theaters water consumption will
increase consistent with the level of biological and chemical activity experienced by military forces.
Increases are attributed to requirements for increased drinking water consumption for that portion of the
force operation under MOPP 3 or MOPP 4 conditions.
(2) The personal hygiene factor provides water for brushing teeth, shaving, hand washing,
and a sponge bath.
(3) Field feeding factors are derived from the water required under sustaining consumption
for the ration cycle of two hot meals (T, B, and/or A rations) and one MRE with sanitation center
operations. Under minimum consumption, the ration cycle consists of three MREs.
(4) Heat injury treatment factors are applicable to all theater environments and represent
the per capita share of the 30-gallon per patient chilled water treatment for expected daily heat stroke
casualties of 7/1,000 in "hot" climates and 3.5/1,000 in "temperate" and "cold" climates.
(5) Vehicle maintenance factor are normally applicable only in arid theater planning.
However, if raw water from available sources in any other theater environment requires ROWPU
processing to meet minimal vehicle maintenance quality standards, the water requirement will be
adjusted.
b. Central Hygiene--Shower and Laundry Operations. Central hygiene water is that which is
required by theater QM elements to provide individual soldier laundry and bath field services. Shower
and laundry operations do not require potable water. However, water used for showers should be
colorless, with minimal turbidity, and free from the effects of industrial/municipal discharge. Water
used in laundry operations should be free of foreign matter and/or microorganisms. The local medical
authority may require that water for showers and laundry operations be disinfected before use. Potable
water planning factors for central hygiene operations are normally applicable only to "hot-arid" theater
planning. However, if raw water from available sources in any other theater environment requires
ROWPU processing to meet minimal shower and/or laundry quality standards, the water requirement
should be considered "potable" and the logistics planner must adjust the factor to reflect the appropriate
consumption. The Office of the Surgeon General recommends, from a heath maintenance standpoint, a
minimum of one shower and one change of uniform per soldier per week. While this meets minimum
health standard requirements, from a morale standpoint commanders may desire more frequent shower
and laundry services. Logistics planners must be aware of the impacts on both force structure and water
consumption associated with providing central hygiene support above the Surgeon General established
minimum. The current QM Field Service Company is structured to provide one shower and up to 7.2
pounds of laundry per soldier per week for a force density of 18,500 soldiers. Increasing Central
hygiene support to two showers and 15 pounds of laundry per soldier per week for a force density of
18,500 soldiers would require the capability of
QM5204
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