Location: Myanmar
Categories: Health, Water
ISSUE
In Myanmar, 10 million people don’t have access to clean water (source Wateraid) and diseases caused by infectious water is a real issue. In cities, people buy water in plastic bottles, causing a big waste issue and a large part of rural populations still don’t know the link between untreated water and diseases like diarrhea.
SOLUTION
Thirst-Aid produces and sells ceramic water filters. Fill the ‘bowl’ and after one hour you have a tank full of perfectly drinkable water.
They raise awareness and educate the population on water issues. To do so, they work with schools, public authorities and families.
Also, Thirst-Aid works with factories which used to produce traditional ceramic vases. Now these vases are out of style, lots of them are out of business. The ceramic water filter production allows them to keep working.
A POSITIVE ENGINEERING PROJECT
- A solution to a health issue widespread in poor areas
- Reducing plastic waste
- Distributing the product and educating the population on how to use it and why
- Working with local communities
- Creating jobs for the craftsmen and beneficiating from their experience by working with old local factories
- A low-tech solution that doesn’t need energy
COMMENTS
To make the water filter porous, rice husks are mixed with the clay. Once in the oven, the rice husks burn and create little holes. What an ingenious process!
MORE INFORMATION
Go to the website.
PHOTO CREDITS
Isabelle Huynh
