Solar-powered water purifier helps rural folk combat diseases

By Mangoa Mosota

She was admitted at a local hospital after being diagnosed with typhoid on two occasions. For two years, the woman endured severe abdominal pains, which not only affected her health, but also drained her finances as she sought treatment.

She contracted the preventable water-bone disease as a result of drinking untreated water.

But today Soe Euauka, 54, from Muanda Village, Bumula District, has overcome this problem thanks to a special solar water purifier introduced in her village by a Swedish organisation a year ago.

The device – Solvatten – made in Sweden was introduced as a pilot project in Muanda village, a year ago. It is a specially designed container that purifies contaminated water.

Tanzania is the only other African country that has successfully tested and used the device.

It has changed many households, and is used for boiling water for domestic use such as drinking, cooking, bathing and washing utensils. Many residents are especially keen on it as the device reduces spread of waterborne diseases, such as cholera, diarrhea, typhoid an amoeba.

Swedish NGO

"I have realised the importance of drinking boiled water," says Mrs Euauka, adding that she has not suffered any bout of water-borne disease since she started using the device. Another villager, Prisca Mayende, 43, says she has saved a lot on firewood. Both women are members of Naigai Community Water Project, formed 15 years ago.

"The purifier is good for the environment (it leads to reduction of tree-felling for firewood, consequently cutting down carbon emissions) as it only uses the sun," says Mayende, a mother of nine, and a teacher.

SCC Vi-Agroforestry, a Swedish international organisation, introduced Solvatten to Bumula mid-last year last year. Fred Marani, the project manager with the NGO, says the users of the device buy it at a reduced price.

"Swedish philanthropists organised a fundraiser for purchase of hundreds of Solvatten through a marathon in Stockholm, a few years ago," says Mr Marani.

"The purifier’s market value is Sh5,000, but they are buying it at Sh1,200. Thus, Sh1,000 covers for transport and technical support from SCC Vi-Agroforesty."

Marani says the remaining Sh200 goes to entrepreneurs, who sell it.

The purifier has a capacity of 16 litres, and attracts rays from the sun, through a special cover glass.

The initial container was only five litres, but the users complained that it made them boil water several times daily; hence a modified one with triple capacity.

"It takes about one and half hours to reach 58 C. At this temperature, all pathogens are killed," says Makanda Khisa, an official of the organization.

He says residents have organised themselves in groups to buy Solvatten after being trained about its usage.

The device has two openings — one for filling it and another to drain the water. It has a resettable, easy-to-read indicator that shows when the water is safe for drinking.

It has two compartments, which resemble a jerry can. The purifier has a life span of five-six years, and requires minimal repairs.

Both officials say the device is a smart solar solution. "Bumula was selected after reports showed the area has high incidents of water-borne diseases," says Marani.

He says Solvatten has been introduced in Kibera, Nairobi, after it proved efficient in Bumula.

Marani argues that the cost is modest hence many rural homesteads can afford it.

For instance, Euauka says she sold only three hens to raise money to buy the purifier.

The group’s treasurer Steve Sifuna says they are encouraging the 26 members of the group to buy the device. The manufacturer of the purifier, Solvatten AB, states that it contributes to the achievement of Millennium Development Goals, by combating diseases.