Inexpensive Water Purifier Offers a Solution to the Water Shortage in India

Posted: Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Author: Amber Pembleton

On Monday, Tata Group of India, previously known for the small car, Nano, launched a water purifier known as the tata swach. The purifier does not require running water or electricity and will be affordable to the masses when released. It is expected to cost less than 1,000 rupees ($21.50). It can clean the brackish water that is available to rural residents in India. This technological development is extremely important because last week, the 2030 Water Resources Group, which is affiliated with the World Bank, released a report stating that by 2030, demand of water in India will grow by 40 percent. The World Bank previously acknowledged that India faces a turbulent water future if effective water management techniques are not implemented.

A majority of the population in India already suffers from water shortages. Last week a man was killed during a protest concerning water rationing in Mumbai. Mumbai's Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the principle authority for water distribution in the city, delivers 90 L of water to residents on a daily basis. However, this is 45 L short of the daily water needs recommended by the World Health Organization, and this has caused strife in the city. Most residents of the city only have running water for a few hours a day. The impact of water shortages in the city of Mumbai and the surrounding rural areas will create wider social unrest if not dealt with properly. While the tata swach holds promise as an example of private industry innovation, state governments must also make an effort to provide resources and technology to deal with the gap between supply and demand of water.