Dutch Urban Search & Rescue task force (USAR) asked PWN Technologies in March 2010 to develop a robust yet mobile water treatment unit that meets their needs.

During the rescue mission in Haiti in January 2010 Dutch Urban Search & Rescue task force (USAR) saw PWN Technologies’ larger Emergency drinking water unit, the Perfector-E, in action and asked PWN Technologies to design and build a smaller unit for their own special needs.

Urban search and rescue involves the location, extrication and initial medical stabilization of victims trapped in confined spaces. Structural collapse is the most common cause of people becoming trapped, but victims may also be trapped as a result of transportation accidents, mine explosions, collapsed trenches, etc. Urban search and rescue teams deal with the aftermath of a variety of events, for example earthquakes, cyclones, storms, tornadoes, floods, dam failures, technological accidents, terrorist activities and hazardous materials releases.

USAR task forces are expected to be totally self-sufficient for the first 72 hours of a deployment. They therefore need mobile equipment that is durable enough to operate in extreme conditions.

In close cooperation with RWB Almelo, PWN Technologies designed and built the Perfector-VLE (Very Light, Emergency) to transform surface water – such as rivers, lakes and streams – into safe drinking water. Membrane filtration eliminates turbidity, all harmful micro-organisms and viruses. With a weight of only 85 kg this ultra light and robust water treatment unit produces 1,6 m3 (1600 liter) drinking water per day.

In December 2010 PWN Technologies delivered its first 2 Perfector VLE’s including foldable water storage tanks to USAR.

The Perfector-VLE meets the demanding needs of mobile armed forces, emergency aid organizations and disaster rescue teams.