Water

Today is Blog Action Day 2010 and this years topic is Water.

“Right now, almost a billion people on the planet don’t have access to clean, safe drinking water. That’s one in eight of us. Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of diseases and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war.”

I came to think about Solvatten that I hope can come to use.

Solvatten (Sun Water in Swedish) is a household water treatment unit. The portable 10 liter container is a patented and scientifically proven Swedish invention.

The product’s functionality is based on three well-documented methods for treating water – filtration, heat pasteurisation and UV-disinfection (SODIS - solar water disinfection that even can be done with a PET bottle). Put Solvatten in a sunny place, give it 2-6 hours and the water will be drinkable. An indicator shows when it is safe to drink. Solvatten can also be used as a solar water heater, providing hot water for cooking and hygiene. This can be done twice, sometimes three times a day, producing 20-30 liters.

Where can Solvatten be used?

In countries with a lot of sunshine but not necessarily warm weather. In mountain areas as well as lowlands.  In cooler countries (e.g. Sweden) on sunny days in spring and summer.

How much freshwater is there?