Lotus Water Chlorine Dosing Device

Product Description

The Lotus Water Project aims to reduce the transmission of water-borne diseases through the implementation of community-level water disinfection throughout urban slums. This chlorination device (currently a prototype) utilizes basic principles of fluid mechanics to dose water exiting a hand pump with the necessary amount of chlorine, making it safe to drink and store for later use. The chlorinator relies on pressure differences created by the device’s geometry to inject a dose of chlorine proportional to the amount of water flowing through the hand pump without using electricity (i.e. venturi effect). <sup> Interview with representative</sup>

Target Countries

Bangladesh

Target SDGs

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Market Suggested Retail Price

$0.22

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Community

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

As a prototype, Stanford Researchers and the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh are deploying the product. Lotus Water is developing a strategy for scaling its approach to water disinfection, one option being establishing an independent organization with full-time employees and a distribution network. Interview with representative

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Zimba automatic chlorine dispenser.

Manufacturing/Building Method

The key parts are currently manufactured using 3D printers. All parts were purchased in Dhaka, Bangladesh with exception for the regulator and constant head tank. Interview with representative. Interview with representative

Intellectural Property Type

Open Source

User Provision Model

Landlords lease the device from Lotus Water company for the community’s water source. The landlord pays Lotus Water directly, and increases rent slightly to disperse the cost of the chlorination system evenly to each tenant; tenants pay the increased rent each month.

Distributions to Date Status

40 units

Design Specifications

The chlorinator is comprised of three core components—a venturi, a chlorine reservoir with a float valve (or constant-head tank), and a secondary chlorine reservoir. The venturi connects to the outflow of the hand pump and uses the venturi effect to draw in chlorine through an attached line.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

During prototype phase, support is provided by field staff based at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh; At maturity, Lotus Water Technicians will provide support. Interview with representative

Replacement Components

Not currently available for sale, but can be produced on a case-by-case basis. Interview with representative

Lifecycle

Technicians remove plastic chlorine bottles from each device site approximately once a month. The device is estimated to need full replacement every 2 years. Interview with representative

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Lotus Water provides water that is not only safe when it comes out of the tap, but is safe in storage because of the residual chlorine. Interview with representative

Vetted Performance Status

Field Testing ongoing. Within one three-month period, 1,100 samples were tested, of which 86% fell within WHO standards. Interview with representative

Safety

Plastic chlorine bottles to be removed from each device approximately once a month. The device is estimated to need full replacement every 2 years.

Complementary Technical Systems

Filtration prior to treatment can reduce the amount of chlorine needed, if source water is turbid.

Academic Research and References

Pickering, et al., Differences in Field Effectiveness and Adoption between a Novel Automated Chlorination System and Household Manual Chlorination of Drinking Water in Dhaka, Bangladesh: A Randomized Controlled Trial, PLoS One, 2015.

Compliance with regulations

NSF / ANSI Standard 60: Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals: Lotus Water is not specifically listed as complying, but dozens other companies selling sodium hypochlorite products for drinking water treatment are approved. This certifies that chemicals are safe at the maximum dose and that any impurities are below the maximum allowable limit. US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Registration: Lotus Water is not registered with the EPA, sodium hypochlorite has been registered since 1957, and the EPA issued a registration standard in 1986 saying that sodium hypochlorite products (with 5.25% – 12.5% chlorine) do not need individual registration review. The document also states that, “widely used in disinfecting water supplies for nearly a century, the hypochlorites have been proven safe and practical to use. World Health Organization (WHO):The World Health Organization does not currently approve products for use to treat drinking water. However, the Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality list liquid NaOCl with concentrations between 0.5% and 1% as a point-of-use water treatment method.

Evaluation methods

WHO recommendations for chlorine dosing and contact times; Randomized controlled trial to evaluate impacts planned for Dhaka, Bangladesh. Interview with representative

Other Information

The Health Impact of Access to Chlorinated Water.. Video on The Lotus Water Project. Please see Lotus Water's Gallery.