Emergency Portable Watermakers

Units range from 500 GPD for man-portable backpack systems up to 5,000 GPD for trailer-mounted configurations. Capacity selection depends on the number of people served. A general field planning figure is 1 gallon per person per day for drinking and basic sanitation, so a 500 GPD unit supports roughly 500 people in an emergency scenario.

Systems are designed for three power modes: generator (120/240V AC), solar panel arrays with battery banks, and direct vehicle power via 12V or 24V DC connections. Many deployments use a hybrid approach, running on generator during operation and solar for overnight battery charging. This matters a lot in remote disaster zones where fuel resupply is unreliable.

The RO membranes reject 99.4% or more of dissolved salts, producing water that meets WHO emergency drinking water guidelines. Output TDS is typically below 500 mg/L from standard seawater feed at 35,000 TDS. Post-treatment options include UV disinfection and remineralization for extended field use.

Man-portable units can be running within 15 minutes of arrival. Trailer-mounted systems require leveling, inlet hose placement, and a brief pre-flush cycle, typically 30 to 60 minutes from transport to first product water. No concrete pad or fixed plumbing is required, which is critical in disaster-response timelines.

Yes. While rated for seawater feed up to 45,000 TDS, the systems also process brackish groundwater, flood water, and surface water with appropriate pre-filtration. Sediment and carbon pre-filters are included. For heavily contaminated sources, a coagulation pre-treatment stage can be added upstream of the RO skid.

Systems are built to NSF/ANSI 58 membrane standards and are available with MIL-SPEC ruggedization for military and government procurement. Electrical components carry UL and CE listings depending on destination country. Documentation packages for FEMA, USAID, and UN humanitarian procurement are available on request.