There are water-purification devices used to make water safe for consumption, either for a traveler or for a whole community. I did extensive research on the internet looking for the devices and how innovative they are and their efficacy is unquestionable. In this article, we look at systems to purify dirty undrinkable water. If you want to know more about water therapy for weight loss, read this article.
On one TV programme dirty water was filtered through one of the devices and it instantly became clear, drinkable water. The device used nanotechnology to filter out viruses, bacteria and other micro-organisms. However the retail prices of these devices remains a hindrance. Therefore serious backers are needed to develop and implement the technology at a large scale, hence assist communities with no access to clean water. For example, a Lifestraw costs about US$48 in Amazon store which is beyond the reach of many in poor communities.
These are the systems to purify dirty undrinkable water and have a potential to assist those in resource poor countries thereby solve the crisis of access to safe drinking water. In conclusion, to understand the need for saffordable systems to purify dirty undrinkable water, read about challenges affecting poor communities.
On one TV programme dirty water was filtered through one of the devices and it instantly became clear, drinkable water. The device used nanotechnology to filter out viruses, bacteria and other micro-organisms. However the retail prices of these devices remains a hindrance. Therefore serious backers are needed to develop and implement the technology at a large scale, hence assist communities with no access to clean water. For example, a Lifestraw costs about US$48 in Amazon store which is beyond the reach of many in poor communities.
What are these systems to purify dirty undrinkable water?
1. Lifestraw
This product is used by one person and like a straw, suction power draws the water through the system into the mouth. Dirty water passes through a filter which removes bacteria and protozoa with at least 0.2µm in diameter. However, it is ineffective in filtering viruses and heavy metals for the standard device and you have to fork out more to get the upgraded model which removes heavy metals. In one store it is going for $48, which is expensive for poor communities. The good thing is a person can use it for up to 3 years as it filters up to 4000 litres in total!2. Solar ball
This is a clever innovation that uses the power of evaporation and condensation called solar distillation. Dirty water in the ball evaporates throughout the day after being exposed to the sun and condenses into clean water. Then the water is collected for consumption. On a good day, about 3 liters of water per day can be collected which meets the daily requirements for an average individual. The cost of the technology is relatively lower than other options using nanotechnology.3. Lifesack
This innovation caught my eye because it has multiple functions, apart from purifying water. Initially it is used for delivering food to the poor, then after that it is converted into a water purification device using solar power. The UV radiation kills microorganisms that may cause diseases mentioned above. A bonus feature is that it can also be carried like a backpack, facilitating transport of water or food to different areas. This is highly practical option when considering systems to purify dirty undrinkable water.4. Ceramic water purifier
Ceramic material has pores that can filter out microorganisms and dirt from water. It is inexpensive and is one of the best options for developing countries. Although it is able to remove bacteria, protozoa and other larger microorganisms, it is ineffective against viruses which are small enough to pass through the ceramic membrane. However, ceramic is brittle and dropping the device compromises it's function.5. Toxin-eating bacteria
In a process called bioremediation, genetically modified micro-organisms are used to remove toxic substances like heavy metals from water bodies. This greatly reduces the cost of purifying water and can be done at a large scale. However, the process is expensive and research is on going. This technology can be applied in many areas like cleaning up oil spills as the bacteria are modified to break down the oil.6. Cycloclean
This system harnesses cycling power to pump unclean water through a filtration system instead of using electrical or gasoline/diesel power. The water comes out clean and free from harmful micro-organisms. It is capable of filtering about 3 000 litres of water per day, which is enough to be consumed by 1500 people. However, the method is highly expensive, making it impractical to implement on a large scale.7. Eliodomestico
This is another affordable technology which works like the solar ball. It purifies water by evaporation and condensation and has a greater water output of 5 litres per day. There are no costly filters involved and salt water can be purified into clean drinkable water.8. Steripen
This is a more advanced gadget that uses UV radiation to kill bacteria and viruses, making the water safer to drink. It is more of a travel gadget and high cost hinders it's use in poor countries.9. Sand filtration/Super sand
Water is filtered through graphite oxide-coated sand (super-sand), which removes bacteria and viruses five times more than ordinary sand. However, there is a high cost which makes it difficult for everyday use in affected communities. Therefore it's one of the methods that need financial backing.10. Bamboo charcoal
Bamboo is converted into bamboo charcoal by a process called pyrolysis. The charcoal is very porous, making it ideal for absorbing and retaining impurities. It is also rich in minerals like magnesium and potassium, which enriches the water as it is filtered. There are also naturally occurring micro-organisms in the bamboo which also break down impurities. You can use it multiple times so it's a very cost-effective solution.11. Bone char filtration
Animal bones are converted into char, which is used to remove fluoride and metal ions from water. It is a low cost method of purifying water and countries like Tanzania use the process. The bone char has high absorptive properties and readily available.12. Thermal and membrane desalination
Desalination involves removal of salt from salty water. In thermal desalination heat evaporates the water, leaving the salt behind, and the vapor is condensed. In membrane desalination the water passes through a semi-permeable membrane under pressure. This is usually done as pretreatment of the water to remove particulate load. Both these processes also remove most micro-organisms although the primary goal is to remove salt. Compared to other systems to purify dirty undrinkable water, this technology costs a lot of money as a treatment plant has to be installed.13. Herbal defluoridation
Water contains fluoride which is good for the teeth. However, excess fluoride must be removed to meet recommended levels. This process is called fluoridation and some scientists found a way to use a plant called Tridans procumbens to adsorb the excess fluoride. Aluminium ions infused in the plant help remove the fluoride from the water by binding to them.14. Flocculation
This process causes particles in water to clump together forming larger particles. As a result, this makes it difficult for the larger particles to pass through filters. This is used as a pretreatment of water before smaller particles and micro-organisms are removed by further processes.These are the systems to purify dirty undrinkable water and have a potential to assist those in resource poor countries thereby solve the crisis of access to safe drinking water. In conclusion, to understand the need for saffordable systems to purify dirty undrinkable water, read about challenges affecting poor communities.