In response to the effects of Hurricane Helene, the Tennessee Army National Guard’s A Company, 169th Divisional Sustainment Support Battalion, based in Memphis, has deployed a Tactical Water Purification System (TWPS) in East Tennessee. The system is purifying water from Roan Creek and distributing it to residents of Mountain City, Elk Mills, and Poga.
The TWPS, set up behind Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Johnson County, provides an essential service to communities affected by the storm by offering a rapid solution for potable water access. Its location was strategically chosen for its accessibility to both the impacted population and the interstate, facilitating easier distribution, according to Sgt. 1st Class Jason Richards, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the operation.
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The TWPS can purify up to 1,500 gallons of water per hour. This capability is crucial as many local water lines and supply chains have suffered damage, leaving residents without usable drinking water. The same system proved effective during a 2023 deployment in Syria for Operation Inherent Resolve, where it purified over 765,000 gallons of water.
Richards leads a team of five soldiers who have quickly adapted to the task of distributing purified water from mobile tanks. Within two hours of operation, they were able to distribute over 1,800 gallons of clean water. The team is now focused on filtering and providing water in larger volumes directly to those in need, rather than relying on additional water tanks.
With significant devastation in the area, the TWPS is deemed the most efficient solution to meet the high demand for clean water. Richards and his team plan to extend their efforts to supply water to the Elk Mills-Poga Volunteer Fire Department in the near future.
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TDEC Issues Water Conservation Order in East Tennessee
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has mandated water conservation for several Upper East Tennessee counties to preserve water supplies following a storm. Residents in the affected areas are urged to limit water use for non-essential activities, as many local water utilities are non-operational. Boil Water Advisories have been issued for multiple communities, advising residents to boil tap water before use due to potential contamination. TDEC provides updates through an online dashboard.