Dec. 4, 2002 -- The U.S. Army currently follows reverse osmosis (RO) treatment of drinking water with chlorine in the form of calcium hypochlorite for protection against recontamination.
Their water treatment plants, known as Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Units (ROWPUs), are portable systems designed to go with soldiers into the field.
MIOX Corporation has been chosen by the U.S. Army's Tank Automotive Command (TACOM) to replace calcium hypochlorite disinfection with on-site generation of mixed oxidants on all existing and future ROWPU systems.
The mixed-oxidant generator uses only salt, water, and an electrolytic cell to generate the solution on demand, so there is no concern about safety, unlike with calcium hypochlorite which is potentially combustible. Moreover, the raw materials for on-site generation - salt and water - are readily available across the world, so the Army will not have to transport calcium hypochlorite into the field. In addition, the mixed-oxidant solution has proven to be effective against chemical and biological warfare agents, providing an extra measure of protection for U.S. soldiers. There is also no taste or odor associated with water treated with mixed oxidants, unlike with calcium hypochlorite. The improved taste eliminates the concern of dehydration, a past issue for soldiers unwilling to drink water with an unpleasant chemical aftertaste.
The MIOX technology is currently being used at municipalities worldwide for disinfection of potable water supplies. The miniaturized technology, known as the "MIOX Disinfection Pen," was field tested in 2002 by U.S. Marines around the world, including Afghanistan, and will be available to the military and consumers in 2003. The MIOX prototype for the ROWPU system will be completed by January of 2003. Upon successful field demonstration of the unit, the MIOX disinfection system will be retrofitted into all ROWPUs in the field and designed into any new units.
