AMU Homeland Security

New Water Filtration System Can Assist in Humanitarian Crises

By James R. Lint and Joe Gentile

Anyone who has traveled to Somalia or Haiti, or who has participated in refugee/humanitarian operations abroad, knows that water can become a luxury. Such water emergencies are not limited to foreign countries. Just recall the recent water crisis in Flint, Michigan. High levels of lead found in the city’s water supply led to a ban on the use of municipal tap water.

Pidge Industries, LLC of Huntley, Illinois, has created a portable, broad-spectrum drinking water purification system for military and humanitarian operations where logistics are either underdeveloped or nonexistent. The company unveiled its safe drinking water solution at the recent CES® show presented by the Consumer Technology Association.

How the Water Filtration System Works

The unit is a tabletop system that removes dangerous pollutants while it preserves the valuable minerals found in water. A larger, ruggedized portable unit is slated for production in the near future. Both are manufactured in the U.S.

Some treated water sources contain dangerous parasites and bacteria. According to Pidge’s website, U.S. domestic tap water is unhealthy because it contains high chlorine levels, heavy metals and drug residue. Other unhealthy substances include estrogen, opioids and discarded medicines left unaffected by wastewater treatment.

The unit’s advanced oxidation system is a powerful disinfectant. It is generated by a catalyst that destroys organic contaminants.

Cryptosporidium, commonly known as Crypto, is a microscopic parasite that causes the diarrheal disease cryptosporidiosis. Some species of Cryptosporidium can infect humans. The parasite is protected by an outer shell that makes it very tolerant to chlorine disinfection.

Traditional reverse osmosis (RO) systems pass water through membranes and filters that require three gallons of water to produce one gallon of potable water. RO and similar systems require a reliable supply chain and can be expensive. Pidge’s device operates at minimal cost, the company says.

The unit’s power requirements are minimal. It can run on solar, wind, traditional grid sources of power or on a portable, rechargeable lithium battery pack. Its filters are reusable and reduce excess ozone in confined spaces.

About the Authors

James R. Lint recently retired as the (GG-15) civilian director for intelligence and security, G2, U.S. Army Communications Electronics Command. He is an adjunct professor at AMU. James has been involved in cyberespionage events from just after the turn of the century in South Korea supporting the 1st Signal Brigade to the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis as the first government cyber intelligence analyst. He has 38 years of experience in military intelligence with the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army, government contracting and civil service.

Additionally, James started the Lint Center for National Security Studies, a nonprofit charity that recently awarded its 43rd scholarship for national security students and professionals. James was also elected as the 2015 national vice president for the Military Intelligence Corps Association. He has also served in the Department of Energy’s S&S Security Office after his active military career in the Marine Corps for seven years and also served 14 years in the Army. His military assignments include South Korea, Germany and Cuba in addition to numerous CONUS locations. James has authored a book published in 2013, “8 Eyes on Korea, A Travel Perspective of Seoul, Korea.”

Joe Gentile is an independent technology, operations and strategy advisor with years of experience on technology-oriented domestic water distribution systems. Additionally, Joe has participated on management teams of Fortune 500 companies. During his military service, Joe developed real-world, A-10 FOL purposed equipment and training systems to support deployed forces as identified during a 9th Air Force Management Effectiveness Inspection. He is also the author of a series of articles on technology and business published by Penton.

Glynn Cosker is a Managing Editor at AMU Edge. In addition to his background in journalism, corporate writing, web and content development, Glynn served as Vice Consul in the Consular Section of the British Embassy located in Washington, D.C. Glynn is located in New England.

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