One of the biggest challenges faced by low resource communities is the struggle to find safe, drinkable, and easily accessible water. Outdoor gear manufacturer, Mountain Safety Research (MSR), and Seattle-based international non-profit organisation Path launched the SE200 Community Chlorine Maker to bring low-cost community water solutions to the global market
It is estimated that more than 700 million people lack access to drinking water, exposing them to numerous waterborne diseases like cholera and diarrhoea. The SE200 is a portable device that can produce enough chlorine to treat up to 200 litres of safe water in five minutes.
Chlorine destroys pathogenic microorganisms and has been shown to reduce the threat of waterborne disease. However, low resource communities find it hard to gain access to chlorine.
MSR’s device uses salt, water, and a power source (even a car battery) to produce a chlorine solution on demand that can be used to treat any source of water.
It is the first product from the newly created MSR Global Health division, dedicated to improving access to innovative technologies for people living on less than $5 per day.
“Through comprehensive research, numerous field studies, and user-centred design and development, this partnership was able to deliver a product that is affordable and easy to use and maintain in many different settings,” says Glenn Austin, senior advisor of product development at PATH.
“Our ongoing work to advance safe water interventions brings us close to people living in communities around the world and it has been terrific to see their satisfaction in finally having a reliable tool to create safe drinking water.”
Entrepreneurs like Nairobi’s Patrick Mailu have started small businesses using the device to provide affordable drinking water to communities.
The device was unveiled in May this year at MSR’s factory headquarters in Seattle.
