The Coast Guard Station here on Thursday became, probably, the first government organisation in the Union Territory of Puducherry to install a water extractor, a unit that extracts water from the atmosphere, to cater to the needs of its personnel.
The machine, which has a capacity of producing 160 litres a day, has been installed at its post at Thengaithittu harbour, where two of its interceptor crafts and a speed boat of Coastal police are berthed.
The machine which is run with electricity extracts water from the atmospheric air parcels that contain water content. It then condenses atmospheric humidity into pure water.
A separate container has also been set up to store the end product. A Chennai-based company, Akash Ganga, has designed and installed the machine. It attracted the attention of many onlookers and fishermen on Thursday.
Commandant N. Somasundaram, Commanding Officer, Coast Guard Station, Puducherry, told The Hindu that it would be immensely helpful for the personnel, who were working in remote areas, where potable water was an issue. “It will take care of the water requirement of Coast Guard personnel and policemen manning interceptor crafts and patrolling boat. Surplus water will be given to the fishermen,” he said.
“It is a green product. Besides, as the moisture is directly condensed from air, the chances of water contamination is less. The machine is cost-effective when compared to the cane water,” he added.
S.B. Deepak Kumar, Collector, also the secretary of Fisheries department, launched the machine on the occasion of World Fishermen Day.
