A pilot project led by a consortium, including Aston University, has made a key breakthrough in addressing water challenges in coastal villages in India and other developing regions.
The EU-funded India-H2O project, aimed at tackling growing water scarcity in coastal areas, has successfully completed a pilot in Gujarat, using desalination technology to remove salt from water.
The desalination plant was specifically designed to address the water issues common in coastal regions, where high salt levels in groundwater restrict access to clean drinking water.
By utilizing advanced desalination technology and creating a closed-loop supply chain for sustainable practices, the India-H2O team has developed a solution that not only purifies saltwater but also ensures it is safe and affordable for local communities.
Innovative techniques have been developed to address water scarcity in coastal areas. These include adopting advanced desalination procedures for increased energy efficiency, utilizing renewable power sources for filtering drinking water, recycling wastewater via natural plant processes and relying on halophytes or salt-tolerant plants to manage residual saline solutions. The success of these inventive methods has the potential to provide consistent access to clean potable water while also supporting agriculture and fostering employment opportunities within targeted communities.
According to Prasanta Dey, the lead for supply chain innovation and business case assessment in this project as well as a professor of operations management at Aston Business School.
He added that they were proud of developing a solution with the potential to revolutionize life for inhabitants in coastal regions facing water scarcity. Their technology not only tackles instantaneous requirements for clean water but also promotes sustainable practices, ensuring lasting benefits to these communities.
The method holds great potential for application in other coastal areas throughout India and emerging economies across the globe.
The India-H2O team is expanding their efforts after the prosperous pilot project. They are concentrating on broadening the solution to encompass additional communities located in coastal areas of India. Additionally, they are initiating discussions with stakeholders from other emerging economies about adapting and deploying this groundbreaking solution in their respective regions.
The India-H2O project, funded by the European Commission, UK Government, and India's Departments of Biotechnology and Science, is a collaboration between international and local partners. It combines expertise in water treatment and sustainable technology to address water scarcity, especially in vulnerable communities. It is a collaborative partnership international and local partners to improvise the expertise in water treatment, sustainable technology, and community engagement. This project marks the significance of global cooperation in addressing critical issues like water scarcity.
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