MIT scientists have developed an inexpensive, solar-powered water treatment system for rural Indian villages, which lack affordable potable water and electricity.
The researchers designed, built and tested their prototype system, and their next step is to implement it in a village outside of Hyderabad. For the water treatment system, Assistant Professor Amos Winter, and PhD candidate Natasha Wright first tried to develop an in-depth understanding of the problem by talking directly to the residents themselves.
Salinity problems “I realised that everyone was complaining about salt, even though I never even asked about it. They said it tastes bad, leaves marks on their pots and pans, and makes their stomachs hurt,” Mr. Wright said.
Mr. Wright and Mr. Winter believe by designing a community system that can provide tasty, desalinated water at an affordable price, all villagers will be more likely to consistently drink water that is clean and healthy, even if they have to pay for it.
