The unit is operated by end user and there is no manpower cost for operating it, thus making it cost-effective.
Portable unit installed in 5 rural schools of Rajasthan
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Jodhpur, has developed a low-cost water purification and treatment unit for schools in rural areas of Rajasthan. The unit is portable and has initially been installed in five schools of rural areas of Jodhpur, Sirohi and Jhunjhunu districts of Rajasthan. The water purification unit uses membrane-assisted sorption-based ultrafiltration (UF) technology to make sure the water is purified and retreated for efficient usage.
According to officials of IIT Jodhpur, washing hands multiple times a day, cleaning floors and surfaces in public places has become a routine practice in the wake of the pandemic. “For the same, water requirement is increasing, hence wastewater generation is also increasing in both rural and urban areas. There is a need for a smart graded water supply grid, water budgeting, and water auditing. “To address this, IIT Jodhpur is using its expertise for looking into water quantity and quality requirements in a holistic manner for the benefit of society. It includes water resource management, water conservation, water purification, wastewater treatment, recycling, and reuse,” said Pradip K Tewari, Head, Department of Chemical Engineering.
The team has designed, installed, and demonstrated the indigenously developed low-cost water purification and treatment unit for the reuse of treated grey water for non-potable purposes. One of the main advantages of this decentralised unit is that it is operated by the end user and there is no manpower cost for operating the unit, thus making it cost-effective. “Local participation of teachers, staff members, and students is ascertained through education in installation, operation and maintenance (O&M)," Tewari said.
This helps in operation and maintenance by local people at the lowest appropriate level as well as adequate capacity building. “Primary school students are introduced to practical aspects of education in this unit. This acts as an introduction to skill development at primary level as well as a novel approach to decentralised community managed systems," he added.
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