TOKYO — To think that clean water is a luxury for some instead of a certainty is heartbreaking. Luckily, scientists and researchers are working hard to find solutions to the water crisis. From low-tech to high-tech, radical to simple, we are seeing new inventions being used every day in the fight to provide clean water for all. Here are 5 photos of possible solutions to the water crisis.
1. The Water Purification Bicycle
Japanese company Nippon Basic created a durable bicycle equipped with a water purifier. The bicycle allows users to filter water through pedaling. This method combines the solutions of the need of clean water as well as the need of transportation.
Source: Tree Hugger
Photo: Inhabitat
2. Personal Solar Stills
Simply pour salty or brackish water into the pan. The black pan absorbs the sunlight and heats up the water to support evaporation, so that each device provides up to 1.5 liters of clean water per day.
Source: Tree Hugger
Photo: Silouan
3. PlayPump
PumpPlay, a children’s playground toy that pumps clean, provides safe water as kids play. As children spin on the merri-go-round, clean water is pumped from an underground well into a 2,500-liter tank which is built seven meters above the ground.
Source: Tree Hugger
Photo: Playpumps
4. Water Filtration Straws
These straws are said to remove 99.9999 percent of fecal coliforms, e-coli, staphylococcus, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, pseudomonas aeruginosa (bacteria causing respiratory tract infections) and more from water sources.
Source: Tree Hugger
Photo: Cryazone
5. Super Sand
Using sand to purify water is an old method of water purification, but researchers have come up with a “super sand,” or sand coated in an oxide of graphite. This super sand will purify water more quickly and effectively than regular sand.
Source: Tree Hugger
Photo: Shutter Stock
– Audrey Grace
Source: Tree Hugger
Feature Photo: Lifeat