The India-H2O project, which is being funded by the European Commission, aims to address the growing water scarcity in coastal areas. The project has successfully completed its pilot project in the coastal area of Gujarat state.
The India-H2O team developed a solution that not only purifies salt water but also ensures that it is safe and affordable for communities to use. The innovative desalination technology removes salt from water, using a closed loop supply chain for sustainable practices. This unique approach has enabled the team to deliver clean drinking water to coastal villages that are suffering from a scarcity of clean water due to high levels of salt in the groundwater.
The project also includes advanced methods to make desalination more energy-efficient, using renewable energy to filter water, and recycling wastewater through natural plant processes. The team is now looking into scaling up the solution to reach more communities across coastal India. The project has the potential to significantly improve the lives of people living in water-scarce coastal regions, not only by providing clean drinking water but also by supporting the food supply chain and creating jobs in the community.
Prasanta Dey, professor of operations management at Aston Business School, and lead for supply chain innovation and business case assessment for the project, said, “The completion of this pilot project, its successful operations for more than six months, and feasibility of village scale deployment of the project across coastal villages in Gujarat state ensure commercial uptake of the project not only in India but also across the emerging economies.”
Dey added, “We are proud to have developed a solution that has the potential to transform the lives of people living in water-scarce coastal regions. Our technology not only addresses the immediate need for clean water but also contributes to the long-term sustainability of these communities. It is a promising approach that can be replicated across other coastal regions in India and in emerging economies worldwide.”