The largest reverse osmosis (RO) water-making unit on an outer island in the RMI was successfully installed at the end of March on Enewetak Atoll.
The new equipment, which is powered by solar and wind energy, can produce up to 5,600 gallons per day on RO units and 11 gallons per minute on water treatment, according to Tom Vance of Moana Marine, who oversaw the installation.
The project was funded by the US Department of Interior. Vance installed a 4,000 gallon per day RO unit on Utrik nearly a decade ago, which relieved the northern atoll of problems during droughts. More recently, Vance installed similar RO units at Kili Island.
“This is the biggest one to date in the Marshalls,” he said. The system also provides extra power to the airport terminal and provide charging for electric vehicles. Vance trained people on Enewetak who are managing the new facility.