Eco Factor: Human-powered water pumps can solve the water crisis in developing and underdeveloped countries.
If scientists are to be believed, then water was the first and the most important resource that finally led to life on our planet. What started in the form of microscopic life evolved for billions of years, giving birth to the humans. Now the same water is a cause of death of about 14,000 people daily. Statistics point out that about one billion people lack access to safe drinking water, which leads to several diseases. A system has now been developed that can use the endless energy of children to pump underground water to the surface, which can then prevent waterborne diseases from spreading.
The Playpump is actually a merry-go-round that is connected to a pump. As children play here, the rotating wheel powers a pump, which can then bring about 1400 liters of water onto the surface in an hour. The system can work to a depth of 100 meters at 16rpm. More than 1000 such pumps have been installed in schools in South Africa, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zambia.
The Dark Side:
The system will definitely be accepted in developing nations, but with the gradual decline in water reserves, the functioning depth of just 100 meters will sooner or later become an issue.
Via: Gizmag
