The Advanced Sub-Unit Water Purification System

The ASUWPS – Advanced Sub-Unit Water Purification System project will procure an integrated system of water purification, storage, distribution, transportation and sustainment equipment to support the supply of water to Canadian Armed Forces sub-units in training and on operations. In order to realize procurement efficiencies, this project will incorporate the water production and distribution requirements of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC).

Requirements: The project will improve the ability of the Canadian Armed Forces to purify water at the sub-unit level (125 to 250 soldiers). It will replace and augment the existing sub-unit water purification systems to fully sustain Regular and Reserve units on operations. Deliverables are expected to include a combined ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis based water purification system, associated water storage and distribution systems, sustainment kits and integrated logistics support. The project will modernize the storage and transport of water at a sub-unit level by acquiring a water tank (3000 L) to replace the in-service (1500 L) water trailer. The Water Tank Trailer was awarded in 2021 Oct to DEW Engineering. The Water Treatment System contract was awarded in 2022 Nov to Rheinmetall Canada.

Water Purification Bags, Advanced Sub-Unit Water Purification System

BluMetric Environmental Inc. has been awarded a 3-year $11.7 million contract from Rheinmetall Canada. BluMetric is teaming with Rheinmetall Canada, who is the prime contractor and an internationally recognized systems integrator, to develop and deliver small, self-contained water purification systems as part of a contract awarded by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). This product, named the Advanced Sub-Unit Water Purification System (ASUWPS), will enhance the ability of the CAF to support missions by providing the capacity to purify water at the sub-unit level – providing potable water for 125-250 personnel. The ASUWPS are a smaller, lighter system than BluMetric’s Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit (ROWPU), which BluMetric has been building and supporting for the CAF for the last ten years.

Funding Range: $100 million to $249 million

Anticipated Timeline (Fiscal Year)

  • Options Analysis Phase – Completed
  • Definition Phase – Completed
  • Implementation Phase – In Progress
  • Initial Delivery – 2023/2024
  • Final Delivery – 2025/2026