Low cost filtered drinking water in the areas of struggle in Pakistan

"Pakistan ranks number 9 in the list of top 10 countries with lowest access to clean water. It is estimated that 60% of Pakistan people live in water stress; 22 million inhabitants in rural areas lack access to clean water, and 20,000 children dying from diarrhoea caused by dirty water and toilets every year. There is an acute water crisis in remote areas, which at the same time often have high potential of hydropower due to their location in mountainous regions.

This project brings together two UK SMEs focused on eco innovation (Air Purex Ltd, Eco Research Ltd), two UK universities with expertise in systems design and fluid dynamics (Aston University, Coventry University) and the University of Kotli, Pakistan, which has expertise in water treatment systems, community and stakeholder engagement.

The project team will investigate the feasibility of integrating water pumping technologies with activated carbon filtering to supply clean water for drinking and sanitation for communities in Pakistan's remote areas. The integrated system will operate completely off grid, and will be powered using potential energy of flowing water in rivers, streams and creeks. Activated carbon filters will be produced using carbonisation technologies of forest wastes. The feasibility of deploying an environmentally-friendly (zero-emissions) hydropump system in rural areas of Pakistan will be investigated.

To maximise the economic development and welfare of people in Pakistan, the project team will seek to embed capability for production of drinking water systems and activated carbon from appropriate local resources. Guidance and recommendations will be provided to key stakeholders (local government, NGOs, regional businesses, communities (with a particular focus on engagement of women) and farmers (for potential irrigation applications).

The project will deliver benefits primarily in two SDGs within scope for this competition:SDG6 (clean water and sanitation); in particular addressing the SDG targets:

* 6.1.1 Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services
* 6.4.2 Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources

SDG3 (good health and well-being), in particular addressing SDG target:

* 3.9.2 Mortality rate attributed to unsafe water, unsafe sanitation and lack of hygiene (exposure to unsafe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for All (WASH) services).

Expected benefits include improved access to clean water for drinking and sanitation, support for agricultural irrigation through hydropowered pumped water delivery, improved local education and new business opportunities in these remote communities through manufacturing activated carbon filters for distribution throughout the country."