Updated on January 16, 2024

·

Created on August 27, 2015

Living Water Treatment Systems

A small-scale water treatment unit that can produce 10 gallons of clean water per minute.

Tested By
  • Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
  • Water Missions
Content Partners
Unknown

Author

Product Description

The Living Water™ Treatment System (LWTS™) is a small-scale water treatment plant. Similarly to municipal treatment facilities in developed countries, this unit relies on filtration and chemical disinfection for production of safe drinking water. Filtration physically removes particulate and bacteriological contaminants, while chemical disinfection neutralizes any remaining pathogens and ensures the treated water is safe to drink. When operated properly, the LWTS™ will provide a community with safe drinking water for many years.

Target SDGs

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Market Suggested Retail Price

$7,402.25

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Community

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Water Missions International partners with aid organizations to deliver their treatment system directly to areas in need of relief. Full list of partners available here.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include SolarPure UF, GravityPure UF, and SunSpring Hybrid.

Manufacturing/Building Method

Mass produced, especially during disaster relief.

Intellectural Property Type

Patent

User Provision Model

This product is purchased by Water Missions International's partner organizations and implemented in disaster relief programs. Shipping: 12 units / 12.2m container or 2 units / military air cargo pallet.

Distributions to Date Status

1,500

Description of the combined methods

Coagulation, Filtration, Disinfection

Manufacturer-specified water treatment rate (L/hr)

2,082 L/hr

Bacteria reduction

6 log

Virus reduction

4 log

Protozoa reduction

4 log

Heavy metals and/or arsenic reduction

Unknown

Maximum recommended influent turbidity level (NTU)

Unknown

Effluent turbidity levels (NTU)

<1 NTU

Safe water storage capacity (L)

1041 L

Manufacturer-specified lifetime volume (L)

Unknown

Consumables

Chlorine, alum

Design Specifications

The system is comprised of three cages, with dimensions 122 x 102 x 117 cm, weighing 730 kg each. They are as follows: Cage 1 (Filtration System): Primary and secondary back-washable filters, Chlorinator with test strips for monitoring Cage 2 (Support Equipment): Surface or submersible pump, Operating supplies for one year, Assembly and maintenance tools, Assembly and operational manuals Cage 3 (Water Tank): 275-gallon storage tank for filtered water The system can be powered with a diesel-powered generator or solar panels: Diesel-Powered Generator: 6 kW generators available in both 50 Hz and 60 Hz, Operating cost estimate is $2.56 per 1,000 gallons, Fuel tank and replacement fuel filters included. Solar Panels: Operating cost estimate is $0.16 per 1,000 gallons.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Water Missions International will train and equip local personnel to manage the LWTS after Water Missions International leaves the community.

Replacement Components

Support and spare parts available from locally trained personnel.

Lifecycle

System should be operational for up to 20 years. No warranty or disposal information included. Interview with representative

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Each system can serve a community of about 3,000 people, treating 10 gallons/minute, up to 10,000 gallons per day. The manufactures specify that the system can be setup in less than an hour and can be operational in three hours.

Vetted Performance Status

Unknown

Safety

The system aims to provide safe drinking water, but if the system malfunctions and one of the operations of the treatment system does not properly treat the water, the resulting water may be unsafe to drink/use.

Complementary Technical Systems

The treatment system can be used in combination with oxidation to remove iron and manganese from boreholes.

Academic Research and References

Water Missions International publishes their research findings in journals. Papers/Posters/Presentations can be found here.

“Countries Lacking Clean Water,” Water Mission, 25-Aug-2015. Available: https://watermission.org/our-solutions/where-we-work/

“Partners to End the Global Water Crisis,” Water Mission, 31-Mar-2022. Available: https://watermission.org/about-us/our-partners/

Goal 6. (n.d.). Sdgs.un.org. Available: https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal6

“Living WaterTM Treatment System,” Water Mission, 25-Aug-2015. Available: https://watermission.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Living-Water-Treatment-System.pdf

“Community Development,” Water Mission, 25-Aug-2015. Available: https://watermission.org/our-solutions/when-we-work/community-development/

“Research: WASH Publications, Solar Technology, & More,” Water Mission, 21-Sep-2016. Available: https://watermission.org/research/

Compliance with regulations

Water quality is produced to WHO bacteria removal guidelines

Evaluation methods

Water Missions International conducts routine monitoring of field activities, remote monitoring of water supply systems, evaluation of project performance data through an online management platform, and focused impact studies.

Other Information

Informational video about Living Water Treatment System.

Comments from the Community

2 Comments

  1. Matt McCambridge says:

    It’s great they mention field testing and identify their partner. Would be great to have more information about the field testing. Field testing can mean a process through which user needs are truly identified at a time in the design process when they can be acted upon, or it can mean cursory testing late in the game merely to give the appearance of user input on a product which is basically complete.

  2. Anna Murray says:

    GENERAL:
    – “Protozoan removed” should be changed to “protozoan cysts removed”
    – References for the bacteria, virus, and protozoan cyst removal would be helpful.
    – “End of Life Indicator” is formatted differently here. One says “N” and one says “No.” Similarly, some say “logs” in the organism removal row, and some just list a number.

    LIVING WATER:
    – For turbidity, this document (https://watermission.org/wp… claims that treated water is always <1 NTU.
    – I question whether there is “high” academic research about this. The website has many links to posters, but these are overall not high quality studies.

    ROAM FILTER:
    – Listing “0” for unfiltered water and safe water storage capacity is a little odd. I think that should be changed to N/A if it is not provided.

    DAY ONE WATERBAG:
    – “User provision model” lists direct sales, however, further down, the pricing lists only “Donation only.” That is unclear.
    – It seems unrealistic that a target user would be a community. This seems like more of an individual or household intervention.
    – There is quite a bit of academic research about the P&G Purifier of Water packet – although not this configuration of it.

Leave a Reply

Explore similar solutions

Agriculture

January 11, 2024

Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems (DEWATS)

Read Solution

Implemented by

BORDA

Agriculture

January 12, 2024

The Living Machine

Read Solution

Implemented by

Living Machine Systems, L3C

Agriculture

March 1, 2024

Bilisense Jaundice Treatment Pad

Read Solution

Implemented by

Infantrust Parenting Solutions

Agriculture

January 16, 2024

Solvatten Solar Safe Water System

Read Solution

Implemented by

Solvatten

Agriculture

January 13, 2024

SER (Resilient Energy Systems)

Read Solution

Implemented by

Box Synergy

Agriculture

February 4, 2024

African Tank Systems

Read Solution

Implemented by

Tank Connection

Agriculture

October 14, 2023

P&G Purifier of Water

Read Solution

Implemented by

P&G

Agriculture

January 24, 2024

AidGear Oasis-3 Water Purification System

Read Solution

Implemented by

AidGear

Agriculture

January 24, 2024

Gift of Water filter

Read Solution

Implemented by

Gift of Water

Agriculture

February 4, 2024

Naïade mobile solar water purifier

Read Solution

Implemented by

nedap

All Solutions

Contribute to E4C's Library of Breakthrough Sustainable Development Technology Solutions

Suggest A Solution

Get more information about Solutions Library and its features.

Learn More

Have thoughts on how we can improve?

Give Us Feedback

Join a global community of changemakers.

Become A Member