Access to clean and safe drinking water is a basic human right and a key component of sustainable development. The United Nations has recognized the importance of access to clean water and sanitation as one of its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG 6 aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Meanwhile, SDG 7 seeks to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. By merging these two goals, we can enhance access to clean and safe drinking water through the use of solar-powered water filters.
Waterborne diseases are a significant public health challenge in many parts of the world, particularly in developing countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 2 billion people worldwide use a drinking water source contaminated with faeces. Waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea cause millions of deaths each year, mainly among children under the age of five.
In many rural communities, people rely on contaminated surface water or untreated groundwater for drinking and cooking. These sources of water often contain harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites that cause waterborne diseases. Traditional water treatment methods such as boiling or chemical disinfection are often not feasible in these areas due to the lack of infrastructure and resources.
This is where solar-powered water filters come in. These innovative devices use the power of the sun to purify water, making it safe for drinking and cooking. Solar-powered water filters work by using a combination of physical and biological processes to remove impurities from the water. They typically consist of a filtration system, a storage tank, and a solar panel.
The filtration system typically uses a combination of activated carbon, ceramic filters, and ultraviolet light to remove contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa from the water. Once the water has been filtered, it is stored in a tank until it is needed for drinking or cooking. The solar panel provides the power needed to run the filtration system, making the device sustainable and eco-friendly.
Solar-powered water filters have several advantages over traditional water treatment methods. First, they are more sustainable and cost-effective. Solar-powered water filters require minimal maintenance and have a low operating cost, making them an ideal solution for rural communities with limited resources. Second, they are more efficient than traditional water treatment methods. Solar-powered water filters can purify large amounts of water quickly, making them an effective solution for communities with high water demand.
Finally, solar-powered water filters are environmentally friendly. They use renewable energy from the sun, which reduces the reliance on fossil fuels and lowers carbon emissions. They also reduce the amount of plastic waste generated by traditional water treatment methods, such as bottled water.
The use of solar-powered water filters coupled with innovative financing solutions such as Pay-as-you-Go integration can contribute immensely to the achievement of both SDG 6 and SDG 7. By providing access to clean and safe drinking water, solar-powered water filters can improve public health, reduce poverty, and promote gender equality. They can also contribute to the achievement of SDG 7 by providing sustainable and affordable energy to rural communities.
In conclusion, access to clean and safe drinking water is a fundamental human right and a key component of sustainable development. Solar-powered water filters offer an innovative and sustainable solution to the challenge of providing clean water to rural communities. By merging SDG 6 and SDG 7, we can promote the use of solar-powered water filters and enhance access to clean and safe drinking water for all. INNO-NEAT Energy Solutions is one such startup that is prototyping solar powered water filters to enhance access to safe and clean drinking water in low-income communities.
Godfrey Simiyu Katiambo is Founder and CEO of INNO-NEAT Energy Solutions (Nairobi, Kenya)