KABUL, Afghanistan -- Statistics don't lie. Ninety percent of all water in Afghanistan is contaminated. The leading cause of death for Afghan children less than 5 years of age is diarrhea, often called "wasting away disease," which can be linked directly to contaminated water.
"Water is a challenge," said Afghan National Army advisor Army Capt. Frank Tedeschi, Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan's installation operations and maintenance director. "You cannot mention water in Afghanistan without talking about the significant water purification and wastewater treatment effort we are undertaking in partnership with the Afghans."
To make water safe for consumption, two major purification systems are currently being used by the ANA.
"Just two weeks ago, Camp Zafar in Herat province became the first camp to use the nano-filtration system, which will serve more than 3,000 troops," Captain Tedeschi said. "Before the nano-filter was installed, their water was undrinkable due to salinity and high nitrate content."
The new supply of potable well water eliminates the need for bottled water at Camp Zafar, resulting in savings of more than $27,000 per month for the ANA. According to the captain, five other ANA camps are slated to receive the new system.
"The system at Camp Zafar can filter up to 100,000 gallons of water a day," Tedeschi explained. "With proper treatment, we can provide a mix that is capable of doubling the daily base supply to 200,000 gallons."
The nano-filtration system screens impurities and other harmful organisms from the water. The other water purification system most often used is the reverse osmosis water purification unit.
According to Air Force Maj. Gregory Anderson, CSTC-A program manager deployed from the 94th Civil Engineer Squadron some ROWPUs have the advantage of going where they are needed most--and fast.
"Mobile ROWPUs are the most versatile," Major Anderson said. "We can use them with deployed units out in the field, and they can be set up in a matter of hours."
In addition to providing safe drinking water, he explained the importance of adequate wastewater treatment.
"For smaller encampments, septic tank containment systems are adequate," Major Anderson said. "For larger populations, more sophisticated systems become necessary."
Gravity-fed sewage treatment centers utilize a series of cleansing containment tanks, chemical and biological filters and chlorine tanks to treat wastewater.
"Herat will serve as a model of success for other encampments," said Captain Tedeschi. "The nano-filtration system will fill an increasing need for clean water as the number of Afghan troops increases at this camp."
Afghan facility engineers are looking at how to more effectively use filtered and
effluent water to best serve the ANA camps' needs.
"We are providing the Afghans with an invaluable resource," Captain Tedeschi said. "This is the first time most ANA troops have had access to consistently safe drinking water. With a little mentoring, we can give them tools they need to sustain their army and eventually address their nation's water-related health problems on a wider scale."