Faced with acute water scarcity in the state, the Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan is in talks with Sky Water India Pvt Ltd and other companies to tap atmospheric water in what is being billed as sky water project.
For this purpose, the sansthan, the government’s nodal agency to provide drinking water in the state, is planning to install sophisticated machines that can produce drinking water from the atmosphere in all those places where various drinking water supply systems like hand-pumps have failed. The sansthan is seeking the government’s approval on the matter.
“We are planning to install hundreds of such machines in our state in view of the drinking water shortage,” said Uttarakhand Drinking Water Minister Prakash Pant.
Sky Water India, a Hydrabad-based company, has already installed its machine at the head office of the sansthan to demonstrate its expertise in the field. “This machine is working very well,” said a top official of the sansthan.
The machine works by converting water vapour in the air into fresh and clean liquid water on the same principles on which air-conditioners work. Given a certain range of temperature and humidity levels like Uttarakhand, the santhan officials claim that this machine can produce 350-400 liters of drinking water per day. On the other hand, the company also claims that water produced is pure and moreover it is ozone-treated, thereby eliminating harmful bacteria and viruses.
A survey has already been conducted to identify all those villages where such machines can be installed. Currently, nearly 372 villages in Uttarakhand are facing acute water shortage, especially during the summers.
One machine can cater to the needs of nearly 10 persons on the daily basis. Besides Sky Water India, the sansthan is also holding talks with other companies which have developed expertise in the field.
