New water purification systems for Army

The New Zealand Army has procured three water purification units capable of being used in harsh operational environments and civil defence emergencies.

Known as a Micro Filtration Reverse Osmosis (MFRO) Water Treatment System, the units are an advance in both technology and capability for the NZ Army.

The system prevents the risk of contracting water-borne diseases and viruses such as typhoid, giardia, hepatitis A, e-coli and cryptosporidiosis from brackish and contaminated water, often found in disaster relief or operational areas.

Transportable in two shipping containers, each water treatment unit has the ability to be deployed via truck and trailer, HMNZS Canterbury or RNZAF C-130 Hercules. The system is also capable of operating in hot and cold climates with temperatures ranging from -5 oC to 44 oC.

The deployability of the system provides the ability to support civil defence emergencies as well as enhancing the self-sufficiency of NZDF operations overseas.
This capability for the NZ Army is also invaluable for humanitarian and disaster relief situations such as that experienced in the Boxing Day tsunami of 2004.
Chief of Army Major General Lou Gardiner said,

“The new water purification systems provide a great enhancement to the Army’s capacity and will prove over time their significant value at home, on operations, and will help our neighbours at times of need and in emergency.”

The MFRO Water Treatment System is capable of treating water from both saline (sea water) and fresh water sources and produces potable water consistent with New Zealand drinking water standards.