Indian scientists have discovered a new way to turn seawater potable—great news for all those battling the drought in the country. Reportedly, the new method can yield 6.3 million litres of water each day!
The pilot plant in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, built by scientists from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre uses waste steam from a nuclear reactor to purify the seawater.
“Several such plants have been installed in Punjab, as well as West Bengal, Rajasthan,” said the director of the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) in Mumbai K. N. Vyas. “Besides, BARC has developed several membranes, by which, at a very small cost, groundwater contaminated by uranium or arsenic can be purified and make fit for drinking,” he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited BARC and tested a contraption—a bicycle with a water filter attached to it. The purifier converts contaminated water to potable water using the energy produced by moving the pedals.
