Tata unveils Swach water purifier

Mumbai/Kolkata, Dec 7 : Tata Chemicals Monday unveiled 'Tata Swach' water purifier in India.

Requiring no energy or running water to operate, an early version of the product first saw the light of day as part of the Tsunami relief efforts.

The portable, replaceable filter-based product delivers safe drinking water at a new market benchmark of Rs.30 per month for a family of five, said a company release.

Speaking at the launch, Ratan N Tata, Chairman, Tata Sons said: 'Safe drinking water is the most basic of human needs. The social cost of water contamination is already enormous and increases every year.

'Although today's announcement is about giving millions more people affordable access to safe water, it is an important step in the long term strategy to find a solution to provide affordable access to safe water for all.'

Based on an innovative concept developed by the TCS Innovation Labs - TRDDC, the Swach technology combines low-cost ingredients such as rice husk ash with superior nano - technology.

R Gopalakrishnan, Vice Chairman, Tata Chemicals said, 'Safe drinking water is a basic human right. 'Tata Swach' combines technology, performance, convenience and above all affordability to serve this basic human right of millions of consumers. The company has made affordability an important part of its innovation efforts. Tata Swach can play its part in the national efforts to reduce water borne diseases.'

'Tata Swach' produces clean and safe water without using electric power or running water, which is often not available in rural areas. The cartridge bulb is packed with a purification medium which has the capability to kill bacteria and disease causing organisms.

It can purify up to 3000 litres of water after which the cartridge stops water flow. The water purifier gives the user enough lead time for cartridge replacement.

Fourteen patents have been filed for the technology and product.