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Phase: Ideas Missions: MAXIMIZING A LIMITED WATER SUPPLY

A Mobile Rainwater Collection Unit

A compact rainwater collection system that remains mobile (wheels) and has a filtration system to create and dispense clean drinking water.

Photo of Eunice Corbin
2 4

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EXPLAIN YOUR IDEA

The idea would solve the problem of the inaccessibility of clean drinking water. I'm imagining a collection unit that can encompass the back of a small truck or be hitched to a vehicle. It would be able to collect rainwater and filter impurities thru heating or possible chemical treatment within the unit. The water could then be transported and shared though communities or tight family groups. Attachable components for things like hoses and spigots would allow people to build upon it for other uses such as sanitation.

WHO BENEFITS?

Millions of people—783 million—do not have access to clean water (http://www.unwater.org/). Those are the people I would want this to benefit. It is an unbelievable number, and is one of many issues I've pondered for years. This idea would be most advantageous if implementation of such a product was tested in the most water-stressed countries.

HOW DOES YOUR IDEA TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE CONTEXT OF URBAN SLUMS AND CLIMATE CHANGE?

In the context of urban slums and climate change, there are many factors that would make such a simple idea a challenge. The fact that rainwater cannot be consumed naturally because of what the pure form transitions into due to climate contamination is a major issue. Rainwater purification and filtration systems exist and I would like to explore ways to make the process affordable to those that don’t have access to large scale industrial solutions. There are many organizations and groups tackling the issue of maximizing a limited water supply. With further research I would like to see if my idea is worth pursuing, with others' efforts. In terms of the challenge design principles, it’s important the product is very simplistic, lightweight but durable and inexpensive to maintain because of the communities I want it to support. This idea has to be shown to be useful through research, prospective user interviews and observations. I will update this response as soon as I have more facts.

IN-COUNTRY EXPERIENCE

  • Not yet

EXPERTISE

  • I do not have experience working in a sector related to my idea

GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS

  • I'm not sure

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF

I am a multidisciplinary designer with experience in illustration, digital design, web, print, publication, advertising and marketing design. I am interested in collaborating with others who would like to help me take this idea to the next level.

Attachments (1)

raindrops-on-water.jpg

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Inspired by (2)

Biosand Filtration
Biosand Filtration
Rain Turbine
Rain Turbine

2 comments

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Photo of Shane Zhao
Team

Eunice, thanks for the share! This is a great provocation about the potential of mobile water collection units. You'll be interested to cross-pollinate your insights with these two like-minded ideas in the challenge:

Biosand Filtration: https://challenges.openideo.com/challenge/urban-resilience/ideas/biosand-filtration
Slum Rate Schedules: https://challenges.openideo.com/challenge/urban-resilience/ideas/establishing-slum-rate-schedules-in-dhaka-bangladesh

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Photo of Eunice Corbin
Team

Hi Shane,

The Biosand Filtration and Slum Rate Schedules are great ideas. I can totally see the connection with what I'm considering. Thanks so much for the information!

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