The Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) has awarded a contract to BluMetric Environmental to provide support services for the Royal Canadian Navy’s shipboard reverse osmosis desalination (SROD) systems.

The latest contract has a three-year period of performance and an overall value of $6.9m, in addition to two one-year extension options of up to $2.3m each year.

Under the total five-year $11.5m contract, BluMetric will provide repair and overhaul services, engineering support and field service support for the systems that are equipped on navy frigates.

"Our work with the Canadian Forces is an excellent opportunity to highlight our expertise in the highly technical water treatment field, and provides us with additional base business in a growing international market."

BluMetric Water and Wastewater division president Harry Marshall said: "Our work with the Canadian Forces is an excellent opportunity to highlight our expertise in the highly technical water treatment field, and provides us with additional base business in a growing international market."

The contract aims to quickly address and provide support to the Canadian Forces equipment requirements.

DND had previously awarded similar contracts to the company, which included a system equipment contract and the army’s reverse osmosis water purification units (ROWPU).

The navy fleet are all equipped with a starboard and port SROD systems to generate fresh clear water and general-purpose water for the ship in challenging conditions during deployments.

Based on reverse osmosis (RO) technology, the SRODs require repairing and overhauling on a periodic basis.

Previously, BluMetric delivered SROD equipment and services, as well as RO drinking water systems for the navy’s submarine fleet.

Currently, the navy operates Halifax-class frigates, Iroquois-class destroyers, Protecteur-class auxiliary vessels and Kingston-class coastal defence vessels in addition to Victoria-class submarines.