Researchers from Trinity’s School of Engineering have developed a new solar-powered water disinfection system.
The system employs solar UV to disinfect water and is a low-maintenance method: water flows through transparent pipes under gravity and compound parabolic reflectors serve to intensify UV radiation.
Not only is it a low-cost process, but it could radically improve clean water-supply in developing countries. It was successfully piloted in the Kenyan village of Ndulyani in 2008.
However, since then, drought has severely affected water supply, and hence the disinfection system.
Trinity researchers are currently raising funds to drill a borehole that will tap the water table in Ndulyani, thereby allowing the system to be used once again. Donations can be made online via fundit.ie.
