Application of solar energy for water supply and sanitation in Arsenic affected rural areas: a study for Kaudikasa village, India

The note from the field presents an approach for potable water supply in Arsenic affected rural areas. The approach has a novelty as its implementation is independent of the electric power availability, skilled labour, and gives consistent performance over an extended period of time. Experiments conducted on a solar still based pilot system for the treatment of water in Kaudikasa village, India shows that the treated water meets WHO standards for drinking water. Solar energy is further harnessed in the form of an algal pond to co-treat solar still brine and sewage. The system is designed for the entire village and the cost of implementation of the system works out to be around USD 20,418.