USD 20 water purifier from TATA

Mr. Ratan N Tata, Chairman, Tata Sons said: “Safe drinking water is the most basic of human needs. The social cost of water contamination is already enormous and increases every year. Although today’s announcement is about giving millions more people affordable access to safe water, it is an important step in the long term strategy to find a solution to provide affordable access to safe water for all.”
‘Tata Swach®’, is the result of years of collaboration between several Tata companies, including TCS, Tata Chemicals and Titan. Based on an innovative concept developed by the TCS Innovation Labs - TRDDC, the Swach technology combines low-cost ingredients such as rice husk ash with superior nano – technology. The efficiency of the product has been rigorously tested to meet internationally accepted water purification standards.
Water-borne disease is the single greatest threat to global health, with diarrhea, jaundice, typhoid, cholera, polio, and gastroenteritis spread by contaminated water. According to a 2007 United Nations report, half of the world’s hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from water-borne diseases. In India, such diseases cause more than 1.5 times the deaths caused by AIDS and double the deaths caused by road accidents.
Built around a bulb-like water purifier made of natural elements like rice husk ash impregnated with nano-silver particles, ‘Tata Swach®’ is convenient to use. It produces clean and safe water without using electric power or running water, which is often not available in rural areas. The cartridge bulb is packed with a purification medium which has the capability to kill bacteria and disease causing organisms. It can purify up to 3000 litres of water after which the cartridge stops water flow. The water purifier gives the user enough lead time for cartridge replacement. Fourteen patents have been filed for the technology and product.

source: http://www.tataswach.com