In developed countries, the ability to go into a kitchen or a bathroom, turn on the faucet and watch as cold or hot clean water continuously flows down the drain is often taken for granted. Clean water is a privilege that many developing countries lack. Without clean water, residents are unable to do their everyday tasks and are at high risk of catching diseases caused by lack of hygiene. Thanks to the advancement in technology, there are devices that can help developing countries have access to safe, reliable, clean water. Here are three water-purifying devices developing countries can rely on.

3 Water-Purifying Devices Beneficial For Developing Countries

1. Ceramic Water Filter
   Ceramic water filters, also known as clay pot filters, are essentially made from a mixture of clay, sawdust, and colloidal silver. It consists of four parts; a lid, receptacle tank, filter element and the spigot where the water comes out of. Both the clay and sawdust are put together through a mesh and are mixed in with the colloidal silver and water. Then, it is heated up to 1000 degrees Celsius leaving only silver pores to purify the water. The colloidal silver is what fights off the diseases, or bacteria, that passes through the filter element. Each filter can filter two to four liters per hour. It comes in both lightweight and heavyweight sizes for household convenience or water errands. Residents are able to pour water from streams or ponds into the filter as the filter is 100 percent effective in disinfecting any unwelcomed bacteria. A single filter, without needing a replacement, is able to be used up to five years.
2. Water Bottle Filters with UV Rays
   Winning the James Dyson Award in the United Kingdom in 2010, the brain behind these water bottle filters is Timothy Whitehead. Through his travels in Zambia, he grew frustrated at the problems residents had with very limited access to clean water. This lightweight water filter is the same size as a regular water bottle and is capable of filtering soiled water in two minutes. Whereas iodine or chlorine tablets take up to one full hour to filter water. Together, both the ultraviolet light system and micron size water filter are capable of cleaning up to 99.9 percent of bacteria found in the water. This efficient invention is not alone in the water-purifying devices that utilize solar power.
3. Hamster Shaped Solar Ball
   Jonathan Liow created the hamster shaped solar ball. Made specifically for developing countries, the hamster shaped solar ball purifies water by sunlight. The ball first heats the water from the sunlight and the process of evaporation occurs which separates the bacteria from the water producing drinkable condensation. This is a reliable source of healthy water because water from condensation is continuously collected and stored. This device can store up to three liters of water if there is access to sunlight.

These three water-purifying devices are unique in their own way but solve the same problem; providing reliable water. As technology continues to improve in today’s world, developing countries will have more resources that will positively affect their livelihoods. With these creative devices, developing countries will have unlimited access to clean water for many years down the line.

– Jessica Curney
Photo: Flickr