CSIR-CMERI transfers technology of community level Water Purification

On October 8, 2020, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research transferred “High Flow Rate Fluoride and Iron removal” technology to a Howrah based private firm. The technology is used for community level water purification.

Highlights

The water purification system has flow rate capacity of 10,000 litres per hour. It uses commonly available raw materials such as gravel, sand and adsorbent materials. The technology comprises of three stage purification process that purifies water according to standards set. The permissible level of Fluoride and Iron in drinking water is 1.5 ppm and 0.3 ppm respectively. PPM is Parts Per Million. These standards are set by the Bureau of Indian Standards.

According to the World Health Organization, the fluoride concentration in drinking water should not exceed 1.5 mg/litres.

About the Technology

The technology uses combination of oxidation, chemisorption and gravitational settling processes. It also has included backwashing profile. This will increase the shelf-life of filtration.

Significance

The technology is a major thrust towards Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. The technology will help in catalysing employment generation opportunities for youth. This technology developed by CMERI is to be deployed in other fluoride and iron affected regions of India. They are UP, Assam and Jharkhand.

Background

Fluoride affected individuals in the country have been increasing in the country lately. The National Rural Drinking Water Programme was launched in 2017 to provide clean drinking water to 28,000 Fluoride and Arsenic affected habitations. The scheme was launched at an estimated amount of Rs 25,000 crores. The scheme is to run till 2021.

Jal Jeevan Mission

The Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide clean drinking tap water to all households of the country by 2024. The mission gives priority to quality affected habitations through Community Purification Plants. Thus, the technology transfer will support the mission.

Fluoride Toxicity

Excessive consumption of Fluoride mainly occurs in areas of ground water consumption. Such consumptions lead to crippling skeletal fluorosis and dental fluorosis.

Month: Current Affairs - October, 2020