Project
Aqualuz – Safe Drinking Water for All
Today, 785 million people lack safe drinking water, and 2 billion people don’t have access to a toilet. Diarrhoeal disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. For these men, women and children, clean water would help turn problems into potential – unlocking education, economic opportunities and improving health.
Using technology to support rural communities
Anna always wanted to be a scientist, and at the age of 17, she overcame financial and technical challenges to design Aqualuz. This cheap yet efficient device uses the sun to purify water in cisterns (for up to 20 years), with no need for chemicals or complex filters. 10L of treated water costs just US$ 0.02.
Based on solar water disinfection (SODIS), this innovative filter is an ideal way to meet the needs of communities who use rainwater harvesting systems – in her native Brazil, this represents 1 million people, especially in the semi-arid rural northwest. So, far 1,500 people use the device and have been given training, so that they can actively participate in deploying the technology and become replicators in their neighbourhoods.
Over the next 3 years, Anna hopes to optimise manufacturing costs and reach 1 million people by taking the technology to other countries in America, Africa and Asia.
Project began: 17/08/2015
Leading organisation: SDW EQUIPAMENTOS, CONSULTORIA E TREINAMENTOS
The country where the team is based: Brazil
Theme: Education for Sustainable Development, Hydrology
Sub-themes: Access to water, Rural areas, Sustainable lifestyles, Water education, Water sanitation, Water scarcity and quality
Tag: #Women #Youth
Project needs
- Equipment supply
- In search of financial partners
- Legal
- Logistical support
- Partnerships development
- Research
- Sponsorship/ Philanthropy
- Strategy/advocacy
