After analyzing the data, we found that it would be feasible to use existing projects, but with the necessary adaptations to solve a problem that affects millions of people.
Thus, we found a portable water purifier that weighs 8 kg (kilos), created by professors from the Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), with the capacity to produce 4320 liters of drinking water per day at low cost (about R $ 0, 30 per thousand liters). This production is made from the purification and removal of viruses and bacteria from non-drinking water [1]. For this, the machine uses a nanofilter and two conventional filters, in addition to a highly efficient pump that reduces the required power and, thus, the energy required for operation, which can be acquired even through a photovoltaic plate attached to the equipment. . Considering that a human being consumes, according to the UN, about 110 liters of water per day [2], this filter has the capacity to support approximately 40 people per day.
After that, the objective becomes to produce this machine so that it is distributed in the rural North and Northeast regions where there are the mentioned needs. For this, a partnership with UFSCar, which works in conjunction with WTT, is important, as they have the necessary resources to manufacture the technology. We estimate that about 76,389 purifiers are needed. In addition, we analyzed the possibility of partnerships with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which has already been involved in projects related to the quality of water and with the UN, which recognizes and defends the importance of the problem mentioned. In this way, we’ll be able to produce the material for our project to become a reality. It is important to highlight that the production time should be better established in conjunction with these organizations, since they currently have more resources for such an accurate calculation.
With this issue resolved, we need to establish partnerships with local organizations in the rural areas mentioned, such as unions, etc. Acting together with them, it will be possible to establish the distribution of the water generated by the purifiers. We then have the production and distribution stage completed.
In addition, we need to think about how to transport this equipment. They are designed to be easily transported to remote locations, which facilitates this discussion. Considering the current pandemic, this filter must be transported avoiding human contact. Thus, it is necessary to use autonomous vehicles, preferably air transport. Again, this question of logistics should be considered together with partner organizations analyzing each situation.
Finally, however much our project initially focuses on remote areas in the rural scenario of the North and Northeast of Brazil, there is nothing to prevent it from being replicated on a large scale in places of similar situation.
Imagine going through a global pandemic moment where the basic guideline is to wash your hands and not even have water to drink. Imagine having to choose between drinking water or cleaning yourself, which is part of guaranteeing your safety against coronavirus. Our inspiration for this project was to think about the situation of those who live in remote places without drinking water, and now, in the period of social isolation, face exacerbated difficulties for prevention and survival. Our motivation came through the questions: “How to solve the problem of those who live in a remote location and do not have drinking water or need to move to access it, exposing themselves to the danger of contamination? How to ensure that people enjoy their universal right to access drinking water? How do you make it possible for them to follow the basic WHO recommendations for hygiene prevention? How to save lives that previously died of thirst and diseases caused by bacteria, and now die even more from the simple fact that they cannot wash their hands during a pandemic in which this is indispensable? ”. According to the UN, in developing countries, the lack of drinking water is related to 80% of the diseases contracted by the affected population and, consequently, by deaths [3]. We think our solution will not only reduce the spread of COVID-19 contamination, but also diseases associated with poor water quality.
Thus, we began to survey existing data. According to statistics available on the NASA website (ArcGIS COVID-19 Application Index), Brazil is the second country with the highest number of cases of the disease [4]. Researching national data, we saw that the most vulnerable regions are rural, remote areas within the country [5,6]. We thought about the feasibility of taking a purifier to these regions. The idea was inspired by The Water Recovery System (WRS), developed by NASA [7]. We were inspired by this project that developed a machine capable of effectively filtering water.
Now, it was necessary to define the locations where our project would operate. To this end, we used, in the first instance, data related to the North and Northeast of Brazil, as they are the places with the highest concentration of rural population. In addition, these regions contain the states that are among the most affected in the country according to data provided by NASA (ArcGIS) [4]. With this data, we were able to understand which locations most need help.
After that, we already had the inspiration and the “where”. It was time to find a well defined solution to turn non-potable water into drinking water. A heavy machine would be unfeasible for transport over long distances, as well as being susceptible to damage along this path. We needed a simple project with less need for maintenance due to current conditions (isolation). Analyzing the most tangible national possibilities, the portable water purifier developed especially for remote locations, authored by UFSCar and presented to WTT (World Transforming Technologies), would fulfill our needs as quickly, cheaply and simply as possible. The UFSCar project fitted perfectly, as it provides for up to 3 years of use of the filter without the need for maintenance and was made especially for use in remote locations such as rural areas.
Finally, observation of the available data and our creativity and willingness to innovate were essential. They made us realize that it would be possible to implement a project that will not only solve a problem that was exacerbated by the pandemic, but that even after the crisis will continue to save millions of lives.
https://g1.globo.com/sp/sao-carlos-regiao/noticia/2018/12/31/pesquisadores-da-ufscar-criam-purificador-que-pode-garantir-agua-potavel-em-locais-remotos.ghtml. Acesso em: 31 maio 2020.
[4]https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/a9419e61cb6f4521a15baf78be309b35
[5] https://www.eosconsultores.com.br/dificuldades-abastecimento-de-agua-na-zona-rural/
[6]http://www.funasa.gov.br/panorama-do-saneamento-rural-no-brasil
[7]https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/benefits/water_purification.html