This is a compilation of the research phase of a project on water sourcing done by a group of students in srishti school of art, design and technology.
1. URBAN COMMUNITY LABS
Water storage/transport/supply
Research compilation
Facilitators: Huda Jaffer, Sudipto Das Gupta Team: Chhavi, Mrinali, Rigzin, Shail, Shivam
2. OVERVIEW
Target users Location & situation
Interviews
Needs analaysisBusiness & personal
Online and market research
3. Target users- Personal
Migrant labourers, slum dwellers
Pain points
no access to kaveri drinking water through government
cannot afford to buy water from the cycle wallahs
no fixed source of water, rely on irregular BBMP water tankers, private taps
Have to put up fights with the people who pay for the connections
4. Activity
•Carrying pot to fill
•Walking to nearest source or
cycling
•Collecting water
•Carrying heavy weight
•Storing water
•Using it for various purposes
Environment
•Uneven narrow roads
•Irregular availability of water
•Hostile tap owners and crowds
•BBMP tankers
•Hygiene
•Stagnant water
Interaction
•Other users
•Water business people
•Government
•BBMP staff
•NGO
Objects
•Cycles
•Plastic pots
•Ropes
•Hooks
•Electric tape
•Plastic sheets
•Pipes and taps
•Tanks
•20 liter bottles.
a,e,i,o,u Analysis
5. Target users- Business
Cycle wallahs
Pain points
Have to pull cycles with upto 200kgs of load over long distances
Sell it for petty rates, sometimes even on credit
A lot of them are too old , they resort to water delivery thinking it’s the only way of earning their
livelihood.
Cars and autos ram into their cycles leaving them with repair expenses
6. Activity
•Filling water
•Loading pots
•Pushing cycle
•Managing traffic
•Delivery
•Cycle back
•Repeat.
Environment
•Uneven narrow roads
•Irregular availability of water
•Hostile tap owners and crowds
•Heavy traffic
Interaction
•Hotel owners
•Residents
•Co workers
•Tap owners
•Government officials
•Hardware shop
•Cycle shops
•Repair shops
Objects
•Cycles
•Plastic pots
•Ropes
•Hooks
•Electric tape
•Plastic sheets
•Pipes and taps
a,e,i,o,u Analysis
7. Interviews- Personal users
“We have to walk two three kilometers for the paid water and the free water is farther away,
but we prefer going there, we cant afford Rs.2 for each pot.”
-Krishnappa Garden.
“Water is used for everything, and for drinking we don’t boil”
- PaiLayout
“Three or four days in a month we don’t end up getting water, those days we end up buying
Drinking water and making do with how much we have.”
-Hoskerhalli
“We end up making 2-3 tripsa day, whoever is free goes and brings back two filled
pots, we need at least 20 pots a day”
Thubrahalli
“We cant afford to pay more that Rs.20 a month for water, we tried fixing the current free
supply of water through pipes but the people around are just too lazy and don’t care”
- IdkaMohalla.
8. Interviews-Cycle wallahs
“We set our prices according to the distance. It starts from Rs. 3-4 per pot over a distance of 1-2 kms.
and goes up to Rs.7-8 over 7-8 kms. “
“The reckless auto drivers just ram into us and the pots break instantly. They are neither apologetic nor
helpful, leaving us with the repair expenses. We wish the containers were more sturdy”
:We need to take the water up two floors at times to empty the pots into the tanks because the owners
refuse to do it”
“Most of us have permanent customers. We receive a call from them and we go and deliver. “
“There are times when the consumers don’t have money at all to pay. We have also given it for free at
times. During other times we also give water on credit.”
“Pain is inevitable, we have to do something to earn our livelihood.”
9. Needs analysis- Cycle wallahs
Up to 200 kg weight
Pulling a weight of up to 200 kg for a distance of 5-10 kms. This posture causes chest pain and
breathlessness. Weakening knees, shoulders and legs. Regular intake of pain killers
10. Needs analysis- Cycle wallahs
Navigating through traffic
They have to navigate through busy roads, therefore a cycle occupying minimum space seems like the
most feasible option despite of the discomfort .
11. Needs analysis- Cycle wallahs
Uncertain repair costs
The plastic pots need to be replaced every two months. The cost of a new pot is between Rs. 50-70
depending on the quality.
12. Needs analysis- Personal users
Painful ergonomics
Men and women have been carrying these pots full of water for ages but it is awfully hard to carry them. Children start
carrying these pots from the age of 5.
13. Needs analysis- Personal users
Number of trips
In one go one person can carry maximum of 2 pots. Daily requirement of a family of four is 10-12 pots. That means if
there is just one person sourcing the water, they need to make 6 trips everyday
14. Needs analysis- Personal users
No identity, no water
Most of the migrant laborers who are not under any contractor have a tough time sourcing water because they don’t
have ration cards . Government doesn’t provide them with any amenities. They have to fight with the private
connection owners to let them take water. They grab any opportunity to source water.
15. Online and Market research- Existing solutions in different parts of the world
Different ways of carrying- domestic use
16.
17. PACK h20-Help carry hope
Features :
• Double Liner
• Chlorine tablet pouch
• Adjustable shoulder straps
• Protective Cover
• Volume: 5 gallons
• Strap strength: 352 lb
• Puncture resistance w/poly liner: 52 lbf
• Drain Spout
• Hand straps
• Puncture-resistant shell
• Reflective tape
• Weight: 43 lbf
• Backpack seam strength: 13.8 lbf
• Tear resistance of backpack fabric: 63 lbf
• The PackH2O is 7 times
lighter and 7 times smaller
than a jerry can that holds
the same amount of water.
• The PackH2O inner liner
can be removed and
sanitized in the sun
18. Advantages
• Since the weight is shared onthe shoulders, the
weight becomes much easier to carry.
• The bag is collapsible and occupies minimum space
when not in use.
• Easy storage.
• Can be used by all age groups.
Disadvantages
• Health issues.
PACKH20
19. Carts used by water delivery services in USA
PROS
• No weight is taken directly on your body.
• Pushing is easier than pulling
• Can carry up to 80 litres, 4 bottles(8 pots
• Compact
• Durable
CONS
• Might require additional arrangements
to make sure they don’t topple and fall.
• Balancing seems a little tricky
20. Hippo Water Roller- used in South Africaby under privileged
PROS-
• No weight is directly taken on the body.
• Easier to push it around than to carry it.
• Can carry up to 50L at one go.
• Since its air tight you can use it for
washing clothes while traveling.
CONS-
• The roads are in a very bad condition.
• The material of the product might wear
off earlier according to the storage.
21. Advantages.
• since the device is in cylindrical shape.
• Its very easy to roll which makes the work much much easier than actually carrying
that amount on head.
• time savings (fetching water can be very time consuming in some poor rural
environments) reduced effort
• reduced strain (carrying heavy weights on the head every day for years puts strain
on the body, particularly the vertebral column);
• increased water availability, with benefits for health and perhaps even enabling
vegetables to be growmn
• hygienic storage due to the sealed lid on the roller.
Disadvantages
• rollers cannot be stacked efficiently to save space;
23. Water Delivery Tricycle
This type of cargo tricycle is frequently
used throughout Mexico. Vendors use it
to sell things like fresh bread, ice cream
from coolers, and in this case bottled
water. I frequently purchased water from
one of these as they cruised around my
local neighborhood in Playa del Carmen,
exchanging an empty bottle for a full one
for about $2. Sometimes the bikes are
used as the family car or cheap taxis
(called bici taxis), with 2 plastic chairs
placed on the front.
24. Advantages.
• Easily navigable
• Sturdy
• Can be cycled to go delivery and while coming
back
• More capacity
Disadvantages.
• More expensive than cycles
• Occupy more space
25. • Aquaduct Concept Vehicle by IDEO.
Winner of the ’08 Innovate or Die
competition sponsored by Google and
Specialized, the Aquaduct is “a pedal-
powered concept vehicle that
transports, filters, and stores water.”
Pedal to the well, fill up the tank and
by the time you’re home you have 8
liters of purified water.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U-
mvfjyiao&feature=player_embedded
26. Advantages.
• Purified drinking water
• Complete removal of the purification process
at home
Disadvantage
• Capacity
• Expense
• Availability of material and manufacture
28. During field research, most of the time there wasn’t any form of purification. A
few people boiled water but the general mentality was that they didn’t want to
spend gas or fuel wood to boil water. They said they’d rather got to the hospital
as and when they fall ill.
For us to introduce water purification systems, we must first make them aware of
the importance of clean water.
30. Boiling
Equipment/Skill Required:
Water container
Intense heat – fuel (wood, gas, etc)
– Preferably a fuel efficient stove
Must be able to produce heat
Process:
Water should be placed in a container and heated until
boiling.
The water should be allowed to boil for at least 10
minutes.
Once cooled the water will be ready to use.
31. •Advantages
–Simple and effective method of purification
–Will kill many waterborne bacteria through the intense
heat
–Uses local available materials
•Disadvantages
–Can sometimes be difficult, time consuming, and cost inefficient
because of the high volume of fuel used
–Will not remove mud from ‘murky’ water
–Will not remove suspended or dissolved compounds
32. Sunlight Exposure
Equipment/Skill Required:
Disposable clear plastic bottles (glass bottles should not be used as they do not let enough
sunlight into the water)
Bright sunlight
Process:
Fill a clean bottle, leaving a quarter empty.
Put the top on and shake the bottle for 20 seconds.
The bottled should then be left in sunlight
(usually on the roof of your home) for one day
(or two days if the sky is cloudy)
Drink the water straight from the bottle to avoid
cross-contamination.
In the rainy season, paint one side of the bottle black.
This will increase the water temperature quicker.
The painted side should be placed underneath
33. Advantages:
Kills harmful bacteria and pathogens
Simple, convenient and inexpensive
If used correctly, the water is as clean as boiled water
Will not change the taste of water
Disadvantages:
Will not remove mud from ‘murky’ water
A 6-12 hour waiting period
35. Advantages:
Easy to use method of chemical purification of water
Effective at killing bacteria and viruses
Inexpensive
Disadvantages:
Not effective at killing all parasites.
Complex compounds can form with organic material which over time can
be hazardous to health.
It is best to use the water in a shorter period of time and store it in a
plastic container in a cool and shaded place.
36. Coagulation and Flocculation
Equipment/skill required:
A coagulant (ex. aluminium sulphate)
Some skill/training
2 vessels
Stirrer
Filter – a cloth
Process:
Add a coagulant to water and stir rapidly.
Allow to stand for some time, and continuously stir slowly to form large flocs.
The formed flocs clean the water by attracting pathogens and other
microorganisms.
Remove the flocs using filtration and be careful to not re-contaminate the water.
37. Advantages:
Proven reduction of viruses, bacteria, protozoa
Pesticide and heavy metal removal
Simple technology and use
Disadvantages:
May be toxic if used improperly
Could be more expensive and complicated than other
methods due to increased number of required materials and
skill
Requires multiple steps
38. Filtration -Straining
Equipment/skill required:
Porous barrier: cost and efficiency depends on the barrier: clean woven
fibers (cotton cloth, linen, others) Moringa tree seed press cake, ceramic
filter
Water vessel
Process:
Fix the barrier on top of the water vessel.
If using cloth it should be folded 4-8 times to create a thicker barrier.
Pour water through the barrier into the vessel, trapping solids and
particles on top of the barrier.
Take care to only allow filtered water to reach the bucket.
39. Letting water collected during the day settle over night can be an effective way of
improving the clearness of water by reducing turbity (very murky water) and is a
cheap alternative to sand filtering.
However you must leave undisturbed for a sufficient period of time (at least 10
hours), out of sunlight (at night), in a sealed container is best.
Warning: Must be used in conjunction with Filtering. This is only a pre-treatment to
make Filtering more effective!!
42. Advantages:
Cost effective
Immediate access to water
Filters out all particles that are larger than the pores in the barrier
Can be cleaned and reused
Does not alter taste of water
Disadvantages:
Does not guarantee removal of all virus particles and infectious
contaminants, chemicals, pollutants, chemicals and poor tastes
Should not be used as a sole purification method
43. Three-Pot Treatment
Equipment/skill required:
3 water vessels/pots for processing; 1 for collection of dirty water and 1 for
collection of clean water
if possible - a flexible pipe to siphon water as it disturbs sediment less than
pouring
if possible - a cloth or any filtration barrier
Process:
Pour water into the first pot (pouring it through cloth increases efficiency).
Let the water settle for as many hours as possible – a length of just one day can
kill of more than 50% of most bacteria.
Pour water into a second pot, let it settle again.
Then pour into the third pot and let it settle again.
Drinking water is drawn from the third pot only.
44. Advantages:
Cost effective
Easy to use and maintain
Bacterial contamination levels decrease through settlement
and over time
Disadvantages:
Does not guarantee complete removal of some bacteria and
micro-organisms
Could take a few days to treat water
45. Purification system one.
clay-based water purification system for household use in developing countries. The
system consists of a ceramic filter element, made of kiln-fired clay treated with colloidal
silver, set in a plastic receptacle tank with a plastic lid and spigot. These filters have been
produced and promoted in Africa, Central America, and Southeast Asia, but have not
been widely adopted due to poor financial planning and failures in meeting the expected
amount and quality of water produced. The team improved the filtration system and at
the same time developed customized training that creates broader awareness,
encouraging adoption on a much larger scale, and stimulating local production and
support.
46. • The main filter elements are the container and filter medium. The filter element is
manually filled with water from a contaminated source, which seeps through the
clay at a rate of two to three liters per hour. The filtering effect of the clay
eliminates a large portion of water-borne pathogens.
• Application of the colloidal silver has add on benefits and ensures complete
bacteria removal.
• A study funded by USAID in Nicaragua found that the ceramic filters can remove
98-100 percent of E. coli, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia. This study however
suggets that only with sufficient education household filters can both treat water
efficiently and meet drinking water standards (2). Colloidal silver is an anti-
bacterial agent with a wide range of application in medical practice. It has been
used extensively prior to the development of antibiotics in the 1940s and 50s(1).
The amount of silver used and also leached from the filter medium is estimated to
be negligible and therefore should not be a health concern (1). Teaching
communities how to use and maintain filters, however, is the most significant
element of such process.
47. In context to UCL
Advantages
• Low cost.
• Easy to use
• Eco friendly
48. Disadvantages
• may not be compatible with chlorinated water
sources due to demonstrating the need for
better consumer education, in addition to
clogging and loss of silver which commonly
experienced.
• people only use filters for a fraction of their
drinking water
49. Hindustan pure it compact/ Pureit Classic: Pureit is the easy, practical and
affordable way to get safe drinking water.
51. Advantages
• It does not require a tap connection.
• Really simple to use.
• Total capacity is 23 Litres. Purified storage capacity is 9 litres.
• Doesn't need expensive gas, electricity or continuous tap water.
• No plumbing or expensive maintenance required
Disadvantages
• cost 2350 rupee
• filerationkit have to change within 6 month which cost around 1000 rupee.
• just 9 liter water storage is not enough for 7-8 member family .