Water-recycling handwashing stations
Our gravity driven water-recycling handwashing stations provide access to safe handwashing in contexts where it does not happen: in areas with limited water and/or power supply. Gravit`eau handwashing stations purify and recycle the handwash-water for the next user without need for a regular water supply or access to electricity. The handwashing station is a micro scale wastewater treatment system, that contains multiple treatment steps and removes pathogens from the water.
In combination with the appropriate behavior change intervention, Gravit’eau is a game-changing hardware and software intervention that will exponentially increase handwashing in humanitarian and water-scarce settings and thus foster public health.
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How does the water-recycling handwashing station work?
This animation shows the principal mechanism of the Gravit'eau water-recycling handwashing station:
The advantages of the Gravit'eau water-recycling handwashing stations:
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Highly efficient: using 5 mL water per hand wash, compared to 0.5-1 L required by conventional handwashing stations
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Watersaving: Save around 3000 L of water every 10 days in a school of 500 children
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Self-sufficient: Do not require regular water supply, electricity or drainage. Refill is needed every 2-4 weeks.
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Innovative: Use an innovative, multistage biological gravity-driven membrane filtration system.
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Safe: Ensure water is safe – free of microbial contamination. And: due to contactless tap - reduces the risk of hand (re)contamination
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Local production: Can be produced with locally available materials while only a compact and light hardware kit must be delivered from Europe
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Adaptable: Can be adapted to different needs, sizes and contexts
The design of our water-recycling handwashing station is modular. It can be easily adapted to the needs of different usergroups, in size and context.
To build a handwashing system locally you need
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A kit including a membrane module, a foot pump and press tap (depending on design option), a set of connectors, a set of basic tools, a liquid or foam soap dispenser (if required)
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A detailed manual (related to the chosen design) will be provided by our team
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Local workshop trained by Gravit`eau team to build systems using locally available water containers and locally available wood, plastics or aluminium sheets for housing
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Get in contact with us, if you think the Gravit'eau handwashing water recycling station has potential for your project!
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