MOROCCO - Corporals Kyle Slusher and Cody Sorrell, water purification specialists with Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, operate the Tactical Water Purification System to purify Moroccan ocean water into a palatable water source for Marines with the 24th MEU training with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces, April 10. The 24th MEU, partnered with the Navy's Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is deploying to the European and Central Command theaters of operation to serve as a theater reserve and crisis response force capable of a variety of missions from full-scale combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. (Official Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein)

Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein

Marines Manage Tactical Water Purification System during African Lion 2017

9 Jun 2017 | Lance Cpl. Issac Velasquez U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve

CAP DRAA, Morocco --

U.S. Marines with Maintenance Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 451, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, installed a Tactical Water Purification System during exercise African Lion 17 at Cap Draa, Morocco, April 20-28, 2017.

The TWIPS was vital for African Lion 17 as it produced and distributed 15-17 thousand gallons of fresh water per day. The system helped produced potable water for U.S. and Moroccan Forces, to use in showers, sinks and toilets; allowing service members to properly hygiene and train for African Lion 17.

The TWIPS takes in salt water from the ocean and runs the water through a series of multiple filtration systems, a process called reverse osmosis purification. The water is then stored in two 3,000 gallon bladders next to the system.

“Getting fresh water out of the TWIPS also involves ensuring there is little to no mistakes,” said Sgt. Jeff Grenier, a water treatment specialist with CLB-451. “If the water is not properly purified it can cause people to get sick. If they get sick, they don’t get proper training.”

The Marines, often called Water Dogs, did run into issues like rising and falling of tides of the Atlantic Ocean where water was being drawn. The Marines manually adjusted the pump according to sea levels. Water pH levels were unbalanced for the first couple of days but the Marines adjusted pressure levels overcoming their difficulties and consistently providing fresh water to the troops. Exercise participants were able to train safely thanks to Marines operating the TWIPS. (U.S. Marine Corps story by Lance Cpl. Issac Velasquez)