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According to the latest report from UNICEF and the World Health Organization (2022), 2.2 billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water. Previous findings indicate that improving access to safe drinking water prevents 4 percent of the global disease burden. Bihar, West Bengal, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and parts of India’s northeastern states are severely affected by water contamination issues, including high levels of iron, arsenic, fluoride, and microbial contaminants. These contaminants pose serious health risks, leading to various waterborne diseases and long-term health effects.
S M Sehgal Foundation advocates the adoption of low-cost, sustainable point-of-use (household) water treatment technologies. The organisation has been instrumental in promoting the ‘MatiKalp’ ceramic pot filter which is a simple, low-cost, sustainable solution capable of removing iron, manganese, and microbial contamination to prevent waterborne disease.
MatiKalp is made out of raw materials such as clay, combustible material, and locally available sand as a filtration pot. During the firing process of the molded and dried pot, the burn-out material gasifies, leaving behind a network of micropores connected with a microchannel to facilitate water filtration. The filter element is further processed with silver impregnation to offer complete disinfection. The filter costs between 500 and 800 INR, which is highly affordable but ensures accessibility to safe drinking water without compromising on effectiveness.
Producing MatiKalp filters is a unique opportunity to address water quality challenges as well as economic livelihoods in rural India. Pottery has been a traditional skill passed down through many generations, but the rise of industrialization and the introduction of plastics and metals have sidelined the local pottery artisans and their livelihoods.
Leveraging the knowledge and skills of local potters and supporting them with the scientific design and production process of MatiKalp, the S M Sehgal Foundation is turning the challenges of drinking water quality and potters’ livelihoods into opportunities for each other to ensure access to safe drinking water and reinstate the art of pottery and potters’ livelihoods together.
A sustainable solution to also remove arsenic contamination from drinking water was still needed. A recent technological advancement is further in process to make the MatiKalp capable of addressing arsenic by integrating ZVI (zero-valent iron) along with other contaminants from water. A diffuser is also being incorporated above the filter pot to increase the interaction of water with air by increasing the surface area of water manifolds, which leads to enhancing the effective removal of iron and manganese and converting arsenic III into arsenic V through oxidation. The design includes a built-in safe storage container, ensuring the safety of filtered water and addressing the risk of recontamination through a small amount of silver leaching (within safe limits).
S M Sehgal Foundation conducted a feasibility study to integrate zero-valent iron into the MatiKalp to remove arsenic. A toxic characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) study was carried out to assess the characteristics of sludge generated in the treatment process for safe disposal, aiming for the safety and sustainability of the environment. An innovative furnace design for the firing process was designed to be eco-friendly, effective, and efficient, and to ensure a sustainable and efficient production process.
S M Sehgal Foundation collaborates with the Centre for Affordable Water Sanitation and Technology (CAWST) to promote sustainable point-of-use water filtration technology, building capacity among grassroots organizations. A partnership with TERI School of Advanced Studies to study MatiKalp’s effectiveness in removing contaminants and with IIT Kanpur assesses the environmental safety aspect of sludge from arsenic removal. These partnerships highlight a multi-stakeholder approach to developing scalable water filtration solutions like MatiKalp.
Emphasizing a “Vocal 4 Local” approach is crucial for addressing the specific needs of underserved communities to access safe drinking water. The approach prioritized by S M Sehgal Foundation is to create locally produced, low-cost sustainable solutions, ensure affordability, promote environmental sustainability, and empower rural communities. Such advancements hold the potential to drive positive change and enhance the accessibility of safe drinking water for underserved people in need.
Success metrics, beyond a reduction in waterborne diseases, include economic and social impact and user satisfaction. Challenges for further implementation include microenterprise development, demand creation, financial support, and stakeholder collaboration for innovative solutions. By focusing on sustainable, locally produced water filtration technologies such as the MatiKalp, S M Sehgal Foundation drives positive change and improves access to safe drinking water for people in need.
Authors
: Lalit Mohan Sharma, principal scientist; Yashi Gautam, assistant program lead; Aparajeeta, program lead; Water Research & Training at S M Sehgal Foundation