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WATR 3.0

Providing Ethiopia’s lowlands with clean water in times of the COVID‑19 pandemic.

What’s the problem?

Hand washing

According to the World Health Organization, frequent hand washing is proven to be one of the most effective measures against the spread of the COVID‑19 virus. However, this is not possible in the Ethiopian lowlands, where only 27% of the people have access to improved water sources.

Access to WASH services

The lack of WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) services has always been a problem in Ethiopia. While already scoring number 2 on WHOs list with worst water conditions, the COVID-19 pandemic is amplifying this problem even more.

In times of global pandemic

60–80% of the communicable diseases, including COVID-19, is attributed to a limited access to WASH services. This confronts us with a challenge:

How can we provide the communities in the rural Ethiopian lowlands with clean water to minimise the threat of COVID-19?

WATR. Innovations present

WATR 3.0

The WATR 3.0 is a water filtration system and storage unit which provides 50 people with their daily need of clean water. Using an organic filter and UV and heat treatment system, dirty water will be cleansed and the COVID-19 virus will be killed. The foottap prevents further spread of the virus. With the recycling system catching any spilled water, no water gets lost and the use of clean water is as efficient as possible.

Feature overview

Solar treatment system

Our innovative solar panel combines multiple methods to eliminate pathogens using solar energy. The water flows through hundreds of thin tubes, getting exposed to heat and concentrated UV-light, to ensure elimination of every dangerous organism.

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The clear plastic shield at the top, let’s all the light through, which then passes through the water, treating the water with UV-light. Reaching the bottom of the panel, the light gets absorbed and transformed into heat by the black layer. This heat destroys the pathogens.

Universal connector

A universal connector allows two connect different water sources directly, ensuring maximum functionality in every region of the Ethiopian lowlands.

Foot-operated tap

The tap is operated by a foot pedal controlled to avoid touching any contaminated surfaces.

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Easy exchangeable prefilter using local material

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Recycling system to reduce waste of water

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Hand pump with extra long lever to ensure ease of use

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Clay base

Base made locally out of clay, to ensure high stability while keeping it mobile and light weight.

Easy-to-read water level indicator

Technologies behind WATR 3.0

WATR 3.0 uses different technologies that have been tested and therefore, in theory, success is proven. However, in order to make this reality several things have to be tested. Different materials have to be compared regarding their suitability, a heat exchange system has to be implemented to improve the efficiency and field tests have to be conducted in order to find unexpected problems.

UV treatment

By exposing the microorganism in the water to high-intensity UV light, the DNA gets destroyed. Without their DNA, bacteria and viruses are unable to reproduce and therefore are not harmful anymore. This method can effectively eliminate every organic pathogen from the water and has been specifically tested for the COVID-19 virus. UV treatment is widely used and can either be implemented with UV lamps or utilize sunlight.

Heat treatment

According to the World Health Organisation, heating water above 80 degrees Celsius for a few minutes eliminates nearly every pathogen. COVID-19 is already killed at 65 degrees Celsius at a rate of around 10000 units per 15 min (higher temperature would rapidly increase the rate).

Several systems have already been developed using solar energy for heat treatment, such as “Solvatten”.

In order to minimise the required energy, advanced heat exchange technology can be used. This can tremendously increase the efficiency and reduce the required energy. Furthermore, it cools the outflow down, which prevents the danger of hot water from touching the skin.

Bi-metal

Bi-metal, makes use of the fact, that different elements expand differently with temperature. In general, heating metal, causes it to expand, but the rate differs for example between aluminium and steel.

If one side of a metal strip is consist of aluminium and the other side of steel, fixed together, a interesting effect can be seen. As the temperature rises, the aluminium expands at a faster rate than the steel, causing the whole strip to bend (with the aluminium on the outside of the curve).

This effect can be used in different applications, where temperature changes need to be translated into motion. The big advantage of this system, is that the created forces are extremely high, the system doesn’t need electrical sensors, and it is extremely accurate.

UV treatment

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Heat treatment

Bi-metal

This product was developed as part of the project: ‘A Design Challenge in Times of COVID‑19’, which itself is part of the ATLAS programme at the University College Twente.