Water is a basic necessity of life; unfortunately, about 1.1 billion people worldwide do not have access to safe clean drinking water. According to the United Nations, about 5,000 children under the age of five, die every day due to water borne disease. The good news is that there is now a solution to the drinking water problem in the developing world. Developed by Meckow International Limited, Meckow Aquapur is capable of purifying contaminated water from almost any source without the requirement of electricity thus providing safe drinking water for to up to 2,000 people per day. With the main constraint of the developing world being a lack of electricity, Meckow developed the patented water purification system which requires no electricity for the filtering process. The system utilises gravity and subsequently is capable of killing bacteria, viruses and parasites such as cholera and typhoid. This is furthered by its ability to also remove heavy metals and arsenic. The Meckow Aquapur’s ability to prevent life threatening illnesses such as diarrhoea means it can help limit this number of fatalities. Not only will the machine help a country in the short-term but it is also a long-term solution. The company explains that Meckow Aquapur was developed and designed specifically for peri-urban, slum regeneration and rural applications, to help improve the living standards and most importantly improve the health of the neediest communities on the planet. ‘Water borne disease has no boundaries on age, even though it is the most prolific killer of children under the age of five years old, it will attack the population as a whole, causing dysentery, typhoid, cholera, sickness and diarrhoea. This, in turn, has a detrimental effect on the community as well an avoidable burden on the health services of the country.’ Taking these factors into account the design criteria of the Meckow Aquapur were set out: 1) No requirement for electricity for the filter unit to operate. 2) Low maintenance and operational cost. 3) Ease of transport and installation. 4) Capacity building. ‘As a company we have the capability to install, commission and train local community members in the operation and maintenance of this product’, the company assures. The Meckow Aquapur is capable of producing 1,000 litres per hour of safe/clean drinking water as well as chlorinated water for basic hygiene, from almost any fresh water source. According to Meckow, Aquapur is fully sustainable due to its very low running costs of just 0.004 cents per litre (dependent on water turbidity). ‘It is designed to be easily maintained with its simple patented filtration and back washing system. This as well as its simple operating system and life expectancy of up to 25 years makes the Meckow Aquapur a truly unique product.’ The Meckow Aquapur unit is being used right now in Afghanistan, Angola, Ghana, Jordan, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, saving lives. Its purification ability has been certified in a number of countries around the world where it has met with various countries bureau of standards for drinking water. Moreover, it is the proud winner of the ‘UN Habitat Business Award’, as it was deemed to have made outstanding contributions to improving the quality of life for people in the developing world. Sustainability of a project If for instance, a Meckow Aquapur unit is installed at a school or clinic, the drinking water is produced for the use of pupils/patients and staff but the Meckow Aquapur will produce excess drinking water to the requirements. This excess drinking water may be retailed at a nominal fee to the local community. The revenue generated will then provide a means to enable the maintenance of the unit as well as provide a revenue stream for the school/clinic to help purchase essential materials such as books, stationary, medicine or even provide the pupils/patients with a meal. Beneficiaries Pupils, patients, staff and school, clinics, households Expected outcomes i.Drinking quality water for pupils/patients and staff. ii. Human health is greatly improved by the use of chlorinated water for basis hygiene. iii. Affordable drinking water source for the local community iv. The community is empowered as they are trained to maintain the system For more Information contact me niyi.oshin@bgvlimited
Posted on: Wed, 17 Jul 2013 15:59:20 +0000
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