SOVIET MOBILE WATER FILTRATION STATIONS IN AFGHANISTAN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80T01782R000300290001-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 28, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: November 1, 1980
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/10/28: CIA-RDP80TO1782R000300290001-3
Imagery analysis report
Soviet Mobile Water Filtration
Stations in Afghanistan (S)
Secret
secret
Z-20171/80
IAR-0308/80
NOVEMBER 1980
Copy 17 0
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Warning Notice
Intelligence Sources and Methods Involved
(WNINTEL)
NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION
Unauthorized Disclosure Subject to Criminal Sanctions
NOFORN- Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals
NOCONTRACT- Not Releasable to Contractors or
Contractor/Consultants
PROPIN- Caution-Proprietary Information Involved
USIBONLY- USIB Departments Only
ORCON- Dissemination and Extraction of Information
Controlled by Originator
REL ... This Information has been Authorized for
Release to.. .
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SECRET
SOVIET MOBILE WATER FILTRATION STATIONS
IN AFGHANISTAN (S)
I. (S/D) Mobile filtration stations for the recovery and purification of water have been
identified with the Soviet ground forces in Afghanistan. Although this equipment was previously
observed with units in the USSR, it was not until it was seen operationally deployed in Afghani-
stan that its function could be determined.
2. (S/D) The mobile filtration stations have been observed at eight major Soviet deployment
areas in Afghanistan, including Kandahar (Qandahar), Shindand, and Kunduz (Qonduz). Each
mobile filtration station consists of a mobile filter/pump vehicle (van truck), a support trailer, and
storage and settling tanks. When operationally deployed, as at Kandahar (Qandahar), the sides of
the truck are expanded, the storage and settling tanks are inflated, and the truck, tanks, the
support trailer, and a water supply point are connected by hoses (Figure 1).
3. (S/D) The water to be treated is pumped from the water supply point by the mobile
filter/pump vehicle into the rubber settling tanks, where it is allowed to clarify (Figure 2). From
these settling tanks it is pumped into the filtration portion of the mobile filter/pump vehicle,
where it is filtered and treated with the chemicals being supplied by the support trailer. After
treatment, the water is pumped into rubber storage tanks or directly into a water storage truck or
trailer for use. The most elaborate facility is at the Shindand Deployment Area
which serves as the divisional headquarters and logistical support base for the Soviet
western and southern Afghanistan (Figure 3). At least three stations are within a fence-secured
area south of the main deployment area.
4. (S/D) Wells have been drilled at various locations in Afghanistan, such as Kunduz (Qon-
duz), where surface water is not readily available (Figure 4).
WNI NTEL
Z-201 71/80 SECRET IA R-0308180
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