Mobile Water Treatment Systems

A mobile water treatment plant is a complete RO or multi-barrier treatment system mounted on a road-legal trailer or in a standard 20 or 40-foot shipping container. Unlike fixed systems that require engineered foundations, electrical infrastructure, and building construction, mobile plants arrive fully pre-plumbed and wired. Site preparation is typically limited to leveling, source water access, and power connection.

Trailer-mounted systems range from 5,000 to 50,000 GPD. Containerized plants in 20-foot units produce 20,000-50,000 GPD, while 40-foot container systems scale to 100,000 GPD and above. Capacity is determined by membrane array size, feed pump capacity, and pre-treatment equipment. Multiple units can be deployed in parallel for larger demands.

Mobile plants are configured for specific source water types. River and lake water systems include coagulation, settling, and multimedia filtration before RO. Brackish groundwater systems may need only cartridge filtration and antiscalant before the RO stage. Seawater systems require high-pressure pumps and energy recovery devices. Source water analysis before deployment determines the required pre-treatment train.

Minimal site preparation is required. A level gravel or paved area large enough to park the trailer or position the container is sufficient. You need access to a source water intake point within hose distance (typically 50-200 feet), a discharge point for concentrate, and power (generator provided or shore power connection). Most sites are operational within half a day of the unit arriving.

Power requirements depend on capacity. A 10,000 GPD trailer system typically requires 5-10 kW. A 50,000 GPD containerized plant may require 25-40 kW. Systems can include an integrated diesel generator sized for the load. If grid power is available, systems are configured for 208-480V three-phase input. Fuel consumption for generator-powered operation is typically 1-3 gallons per hour depending on plant size.

Mobile RO systems treating brackish water (up to 5,000 ppm TDS feed) typically produce permeate at less than 100 ppm TDS with 97-99% salt rejection. Systems treating seawater achieve permeate below 500 ppm TDS. UV disinfection post-RO provides a biological barrier for potable water applications. Water quality meets EPA drinking water standards and can be verified with onboard TDS and UV intensity monitors.