Low-Cost Drinking Water Treatment:Present Scenario and Development of a Chemical Free Simple Technology

Abstract

Water-related challenges as we are facing in the last decade:

• Approx. 7.5 billion was the world population in the year 2017.

• 2.1 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water services. [1]

• 4.5 billion people lack safely managed sanitation services. [1]

• 340,000 children under five die every year from diarrhoeal diseases. [2]

• Water scarcity already affects four out of every 10 people. (WHO)

• 80% of wastewater flows back into the ecosystem without being treated or reused [3]

• Around two-thirds of the world’s transboundary rivers do not have a cooperative management framework. (SIWI)

• Agriculture accounts for 70% of global water withdrawal. (FAO)

• Roughly 75% of all industrial water withdrawals are used for energy production. (UNESCO, 2014)

It is clear from the above data that 2.1 billion people world-wide did not have access to clean water for their basic needs, with diarrhoea the leading cause of illness and death, particularly among children. Nearly 90% of deaths from diarrhoea are due to lack of sanitation, unsafe drinking water and water for hygiene.

Here, we will discuss about the development of a technology that suits to the people living in the remote areas of Bengal. This technology is applicable for the Arsenic free water and would ensure the removal of pathogens.