Aussie water purifier 'to save millions'

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This was published 14 years ago

Aussie water purifier 'to save millions'

By Lisa Martin

An Australian-invented portable water purifier is being hailed as a saviour for third world countries, as well as a tool for global peace.

World Vision chief executive Tim Costello believes the purifier has the potential to prevent future wars over clean drinking water and will save millions of lives.

The battery-powered device uses electrolysis plates to remove mud, clay, asbestos, arsenic, heavy metals, cyanide, lead and mercury and kills dangerous E coli bacteria.

As many as 1.2 billion people do not have access to clean drinking water, and thousands die every day from illnesses linked to contamination, Rev Costello said.

World Vision may start using the device in two to three months when testing is complete, Rev Costello said.

"The future geopolitics is probably going to be structured around water wars, and here is a wonderful opportunity to short-circuit some of those water wars," he told AAP at the Drinkwell water purifier's launch in Sydney on Tuesday.

"We see great hope in it."

He said it would also be practical for natural disasters.

"Compared to the huge water purifiers we have to cart in, this is incredibly attractive," he said,

Sydney scientist Dr Vivian Robinson invented the device and is marketing it to charities and non-government organisations working in developing countries.

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He said he was inspired to act after seeing natural disasters on television and hearing stories about survivors dying after drinking contaminated water.

"It was that irony that struck me so forcefully," Dr Robinson said.

"People were surrounded by deadly water. It was unfit to drink ... and it contained small amounts of pollutants, and that was what was costing lives.

"All that was needed was small portable equipment that could clean the water and get rid of the pollutants."

He said it could also be used in Australian natural disasters such as the recent floods as well as bushfires that had contaminated people's water tanks.

"You can use it instantly anywhere," he said.

The water purifier was named the 2008 invention of the year and the people's choice award on ABC Television's New Inventors program.

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