The Environmental and Public Health Organisation (ENPHO) has started research into a Water Pasteurization through Improved Cooking Stove (WAPIC). The WAPIC will address two of the biggest environmental health risks facing children in Nepal, indoor air pollution and unsafe drinking water.

Indoor air pollution is a major health risk in Nepal, with an estimated 7,500 deaths a year from respiratory and pulmonary diseases. Although Improved Cooking Stoves are helping to reduce indoor pollution levels, about 85% of people in the country still depend on solid biomass fuels for cooking.

The WAPIC consists of an aluminium coil which is placed in an Improved Cooking Stove. Water which flows past the coil is heated to pasteurise it and make the water safe from bacterial infection. With the help of WaterAid Nepal, ENPHO is conducting tests to determine the best design and location for the coil, and the optimal water temperature and flow rate. Preliminary results suggest that heating the water to 70 degrees Celsius is sufficient to remove 99% of E. coli bacteria and 98% of T. coli.

ENPHO is also working with experts from Wagtech Bangladesh, who have designed the Chulli water purifier [1], which has a pasteurisation unit built into ordinary stoves.

[1] Chulli Water Purifier-Providing Affordable Safe Drinking Water for the Poor, Changemakers.net, see also: Gupta, S.K. ... [et al.] (2008). The Chulli Water Purifier: acceptability and effectiveness of an innovative strategy for household water treatment in Bangladesh. American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene ; vol. 78, no. 6 ; p. 979-984. Abstract

Related news: Point-of-use treatment: solar disinfection research and testing, Source, 24 Jan 2008

Contact: ENPHO, enpho@mail.com.np ; David Nunley, Wagtech International Ltd, Bangladesh, dbnunley@agni.com

Source: ENPHO E-Bulletin, July 2008 and August 2008 [Yahoo! Group members only]

Tags: south asia, technology, water quality, water treatment