Asian tree to provide low-cost water purification method

As water pollution continues to play havoc with the world's dwindling water supplies, the search for innovative and low-cost purification technologies continues.

Some Canadian researchers have come across a tree found in several parts of Asia that could also provide another low-cost water purification technique to help bring down the incidence of waterborne disease in the developing world. This could be welcome news for Asia, as along with Africa, it remains one of the largest areas where water scarcity and pollution run hand-in-hand.

If one adds some parts of Latam (Latin America), then over a billion people reportedly rely on untreated surface water sources for their daily water needs. Reports suggest that almost two million die from diseases from contaminated water every year. Children under five years of age account for the largest number of deaths.

According to the researchers, a simple procedure that uses seeds from the Moringa oleifera tree can produce upto 99.99 per cent bacterial reduction in previously untreated water.

The seeds can be crushed into powder and used as a water-soluble extract in suspension, which creates an effective natural clarification agent for highly turbid and untreated pathogenic surface water.

The technique improves drinkability and reduces water turbidity (cloudiness), thus making water microbiologically and aesthetically acceptable for human consumption.