Development of A Simplified Nano-Enabled Nitrate and Arsenic Removal Water Purifier

Access to potable water is an inextricably fundamental human right. However, the increased contamination of groundwater by natural and anthropogenic sources has raised major environmental concerns regarding its preservation. With affecting over 300 million people worldwide in 108 countries, the contamination of groundwater by nitrate and arsenic are one of those major burning issues that need to be addressed due to its dire consequences on human health.

To tackle this issue, we have proposed a solution to develop a household nano-enabled water purifier for simultaneous removal of nitrate and arsenic from groundwater. The filter will have two compartments, one above the other. At first, dirt and iron particles present in raw water will be removed in the upper chamber by clay-composite filters. Then, the filtered water will be passed to cartridges attached to the lower side of the upper chamber. The nanopolymeric composite placed in layer-wise fashion in the cartridges will then be able to remove arsenic (III), arsenic (V), and nitrate in a single treatment. The outlet water of the cartridges will be stored in the lower chamber, which can be further utilized for drinking and domestic purposes.