By: Anders Pearson
Solar-Powered Water Purification Systems:
A Sustainable Solution for Clean Water Access
INTRO
Access to clean drinking water is a basic human
right as defined by the United Nations Human
Rights Office of The High Commissioner. These
rights state that every human should have
availability, accessibility, affordability, quality
and safety, and acceptability when it comes to
rights to water. Yet 2.1 billion people
worldwide still lack access to clean drinking
water [1]. Part of the issue in creating clean
water is the energy required to produce it,
especially in places without access to power.
But solar-powered water purification systems
can be built on a small or large scale and help
provide millions with clean water [1].
An example set-up of a mobile solar-powered water
purification system [4]
FUNCTIONALITY
These systems harness solar
energy to power water
purification processes, such as
reverse osmosis, UV treatment,
or filtration, converting
contaminated water into safe,
potable water [2]. They offer a
sustainable, cost-effective, and
environmentally friendly
alternative to traditional water
treatment methods that rely on
fossil fuels or chemicals.
Diagram detailing the Solar-powered water purification system [2].
EQUITY
Solar-powered water purification systems can be
tailored to suit diverse contexts, from small,
portable units for individual households to larger
systems that serve entire communities. Solar-
powered water purification systems provide an
affordable and accessible solution, particularly for
communities that are underserved by traditional
water infrastructure [5]. By increasing access to
clean water, these systems help to bridge the gap in
water equity and improve the quality of life for
marginalized populations. By alleviating water
scarcity, these systems contribute to a more
inclusive and equitable society.
4/10/2023
SUSTAINABILITY
By using solar energy, a renewable and abundant
source, these systems reduce the reliance on
non-renewable energy sources, thereby
minimizing the carbon footprint and
environmental impact associated with water
treatment [3]. In addition, they often involve low-
maintenance and low-waste technologies,
promoting a circular economy and resource
conservation [1].
FINAL THOUGHTS
These water purification systems provide
sustainable and relatively affordable water access
that can be transported to rural and typically
unreachable parts of the world. This both
promotes a sustainable water supply, and
equitable access to water.
CITATIONS:
[1] “1 in 3 people globally do not have access to safe drinking water – UNICEF, who,” World
Health Organization, 18-Jun-2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.who.int/news/item/18-06-
2019-1-in-3-people-globally-do-not-have-access-to-safe-drinking-water-unicef-who. [Accessed:
10-Apr-2023].
[2] H. Elasaad, A. Bilton, L. Kelley, O. Duayhe, and S. Dubowsky, “Field evaluation of a community
scale solar powered water purification technology: A case study of a remote Mexican
Community Application,” Desalination, 08-Aug-2015. [Online]. Available:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0011916415300394. [Accessed: 10-
Apr-2023].
[3] B. M. L, R. F. Kamal Basha, K. Venusamy, S. M, and S. R, “IOT enabled solar powered water
purification system for rural areas,” 2021 IEEE International Conference on Mobile Networks
and Wireless Communications (ICMNWC), 2021.
[4] J. Fang, “One Mexican village's solar-powered water purifier,” ZDNET, 17-Sep-2013. [Online].
Available: https://www.zdnet.com/article/one-mexican-villages-solar-powered-water-purifier/.
[Accessed: 10-Apr-2023].
[5] S. R. Nayebare, L. R. Wilson, D. O. Carpenter, D. M. Dziewulski, and K. Kannan, “A review of
potable water accessibility and sustainability issues in developing countries – case study of
uganda,” De Gruyter, 06-Dec-2014. [Online]. Available:
https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/reveh-2013-0019/html?lang=de.
[Accessed: 10-Apr-2023].
2015 Statistics on global water access [6].
[6] World Health Organization (W. H. O.), 2.1 billion people globally lack safe water at home.
World Health Organization Official Twitter, 2018.