Water supply is a problem
Clean water is one of the basic building blocks of life. Our bodies are comprised of about 60% of water, we need around 3-3.5 liters of water a day, and every living thing needs water to exist! Humans are no exception.
In many countries worldwide, there are complications with finding clean drinking water. While we in first-world countries have the privilege of having clean drinking water readily available in water bottles or water fountains everywhere, much of the world’s population struggles to find water that isn’t polluted or extremely expensive to procure.
The United Nations released a report weeks ago that stated that 26% of the world’s population does not have access to clean water. As well as 46% do not have access to proper sanitation. On a humanitarian front, this is a failure of society to support all people and provide equality of opportunity to have a fundamental need of life. From a technological perspective, we have a lot of work to do. In this blog, we will explore an incredible technological tool, that is providing the citizens of Lima, Peru with clean water.
Effects of pollution and absence of clean water
Before we talk about innovation, let’s first talk about the effects of consuming polluted water. Ingestion of contaminated water can lead to a variety of conditions and illnesses. Gastrointestinal illnesses can be contracted from viruses, bacteria, and parasites which can be fatal if not treated. Infections of the skin, bladder, stomach, and throat can also be contracted from unclean water and lead to vomiting and other afflictions. Without clean water, chronic illness like kidney and liver failure is common and can lead to death.
Innovation!
Now on a better note. As technology has progressed and led to more advancements in all areas. Basic human needs have not been forgotten. Food has been genetically altered to provide more quantity, quality, and variety to reduce famine. Shelters are constantly being improved, along with many other necessities for a healthy life.
For this blog, we will focus on one innovation from UTEC, the University of Technology and Engineering in Lima, Peru. Students addressed the large need for potable water in the community by creating a billboard. Yes, the billboard allows for better knowledge of the issue of clean water in Lima’s community but inside is the tech. They implemented a water condenser and filtration system inside the billboard that takes moisture from the air and converts it into drinkable water for the community.
Lima, Peru is located at the edge of the Atacama desert and receives very little rainfall leaving the land very dry and hot. But Lima’s Pacific coast location has air containing up to 90% humidity in summer months. While the air moisture is great, the people of Lima resort to using unsanitary wells to bring up their daily water.
The students at UTEC created a water-producing billboard that sucks moisture from the air for Lima’s population. The billboard produces over 96 liters of water a day and can produce more on the more humid summer days. The cost of the billboard was $1200 to install which could be replicated all over the world for its purpose. With the billboard actively producing water, many citizens have fresh drinking water and the ability to use well water, not for other uses rather than drinking. This simple innovation is helping the community along with providing advertising to help humanitarian efforts and UTEC admissions.
More water supply technology 🙂
Along with water-filtering billboards, a wind turbine in Abu Dhabi is also taking moisture out of the air and producing more than 1400 liters of water each day. The possibilities for this technology are endless with many recent innovations in purification, reverse osmosis machines, UV purification, desalination, and water reuse.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading and don’t forget about people less fortunate than yourself, Even in the United States 2 million people don’t have access to clean water, and in other countries rates are much higher. With technology, advancements can come many benefits for all people and use that we haven’t imagined. Hopefully someday our generation can continue the work and make the world a better and healthier place for everyone.