Using lessons learned in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, a Charleston
nonprofit group that manufactures water treatment systems for developing nations
and disaster relief says it has developed a compact water purification system
suitable for domestic use.
Water Missions International co-founder George Greene said he thinks every
major city should have 10 to 20 of the devices, which he describes as miniature
water treatment plants.
"Systems need to be pre-positioned and not waiting for when a disaster hits,"
said Molly Greene, co-founder and president of the organization.
Charleston Mayor Joe Riley praised the invention Thursday at Water Missions'
warehouse in West Ashley, comparing the Greenes to the Wright brothers.
Water Missions hopes to produce and sell the units in the United States,
perhaps to emergency preparedness agencies or the federal government, for
between $30,000 and $40,000. The group hopes to use the revenue to produce more
of its larger, simpler treatment systems for developing countries.
"It could turn into a commercial business that could help fund Water
Missions," Greene said.
Water Missions previously developed a larger, portable filtration system and
has sent more than 260 of the units to locations around the world. However, in
Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina, the organization had to add reverse osmosis
treatment because of government regulations, the Greenes said.
Based on that experience, Water Missions created the Rapid Response Water
Treatment System, which combines the filtration system with a commercially
available reverse osmosis system and a diesel engine.
In reverse osmosis, the same process used by Mount Pleasant Waterworks, water
is forced through long tubes containing layers of semipermeable membranes. The
process strips water of everything but the water molecules themselves, Molly
Greene said.
George Greene said the Water Missions system can use just about any water
source, including sea water. The organization plans to show off a prototype
Saturday at a fundraising event at the South Carolina Aquarium. Greene said the
system can provide about 10,000 gallons of daily drinking water that meets U.S.
water quality standards and permitting requirements.
Contact David Slade at 937-5552 or dslade@postandcourier.com.
