New water purification technology to save cost of water treatment

Access to clean water for drinking remains the number one method of preventing the spread of diseases. Common water-borne diseases include Cholera and Typhoid, dysentery, among others. 

Although the challenge could be seen as one for people in rural areas, experts believe this too affects people in urban settings, depending on piped water.

According to Dinese Hannewald, the Chief Executive Officer GRACE Clean Energy and Water, they decided to reach out to institutions like schools, hospitals and hotels because they have a bigger population, which makes it hard for them to provide 100% pure and clean water.

Through their Water purification technologies, she said they can clean from 100 Liters of water in up to 5,000 liters in one hour using the VIQUA Arros, the UV water purification technologies that, apart from electricity, they also have a backup solar system.

To make it sure that institutions like schools can afford it, she said they have developed a payment plan of over 9 months, within which schools can pay for the equipment and technology.

“Hospitals need our machines because if you are sick and you are exposed to bacteria in the water, your immune system gets more compromised and you become weaker,” she said.

Hannewald, who was addressing administrators from hotels, hospitals, and schools at Mestil Hotel in Nsambya, added that once the system is installed, it cleans the water of any dirt or disease-causing bacteria, making it safe to drink directly from the tap.

“And if you have a lot of employees, you cannot afford to provide drinking water to everyone. The reason we've given you these examples is to show you how much you can save by just buying one water purification machine versus buying bottled water,” she explained further.

Commenting on the innovations, Moses Kinawa, a hospital administrator, said the system, once acquired, will save the hospital a weekly bill of sh400,000 in buying bottled drinking water.

He explained that his hospital has four major departments, where they have to provide water for drinking, like the Outpatient Department (OPD), the reception area, and two wards that consume a lot of water.

“We spend sh100, 000 per department for drinking water, and in a week we spend sh400, 000, that is too much in terms of overhead costs for a hospital, looking at this technology that is installed once, and the monitoring continues, will surely save the expenditure,” Kinawa said.

In order for the systems to be well installed, Mudenya Peter from Eureka Palace Hotel called for the review of the piping systems of most hotels to check if the new system can fit, or if they need adjustments to be installed.

Peter K from Fairway Hotel wanted to be sure how the solar backup systems help in case the system is installed, due to an unreliable system, among others.