AQUA-EDF

Sustainable Solution for Fluoride Mitigation

By

Abhijeet Gan
Director & CEO

Fluoride Problem in India

Time of India May 2, 2012 Front page news

Sources of Fluoride in Water & Health Impact

Fluorspars, Rock phosphates

and Phosphorities

Different contact periods

between groundwater and
fluoride-bearing rocks

Groundwater of Indian aquifers

varies from < 1 to 25 ppm

Another cause is overexploitation of groundwater

resources for agricultural and
drinking water purposes

The quantum of water drawn

from the aquifers exceeds
aquifer re-charge that aids the
concentration of fluoride in the
aquifers

Fluoride
concentration
(mg/L)

Heath Effect

< 0.5

Dental caries

0.5 1.5

Promotes dental
health

1.5 4

Dental fluorosis

>4

Skeletal fluorosis

Health Impacts (Fluoride in drinking water)

Dental Fluorosis

Skeletal Fluorosis
4

Innovation AQUA-EDF Technology

DC Supply

Based on principle of Electro Coagulation

Electro chemically generated aluminiun
removes fluoride by precipitation and
adsorption

Al

Al

Al 3+

Aluminium generated acts as coagulant by

combining with pollutants to form large size
flocs

H2
Al(OH)3
OHF
-

The flocs settle down thereby removing

fluoride

Al(OH)3xFx

Electro-Chemical Technology

Breakthrough Solution

De-Centralized AQUA EDF Rural Community Water Centre

AQUA-EDF Plant

The Concept: Community Water Centre (AQUA-EDF)

Set up of De-Centralized Water Treatment plant at the village having water quality problem
(Micro Utility Approach)

Plant based on existing contaminated water source

Plant designed to provide water for drinking & cooking only serving

Water provided at 5-10 lpcd (litre per person per day)

Civil or Pre fabricated room to house the plant

Operation by local community & Maintenance by Rite Water

Distribution through Stand Post

10

Home Delivery through 20L Cans

Operator delivers water at doorstep via Rickshaw in 20L Cans

11

AQUA EDF Advantages over present alternatives

Chemical
Precipitation

Activated
Alumina

R.O.

AQUA-EDF

Efficiency

Lowest

Low

Very High

Very High
(Almost 100%)

Treatment Cost/M3

10 12

10 - 14

60

8-10

Treatment Time

2 4 Hrs

Very Slow
flow

Continuous

30 Min

Water Recovery

High

High

50-60%

Very High

Regeneration/
Maintenance

Not Required

Regeneration
+ Backwash

Required

Not Required

Man Power

Requires
manpower

Skilled
Manpower

Unskilled
Person

Sludge

Maximum

High

High

Lowest

Disinfection

No

No

Yes

YES

Reject & Sludge Management

High recovery >95% & hence Minimal Sludge

The compound formed in sludge is irreversible in
nature
No Leaching of fluoride back to ground
This makes sludge safe and easy to dispose

Only solution that ensures complete fluoride

removal from ground !!!

Plant based on Solar Energy (Nalanda Bihar Pilot)

14

High Environmental Impact

High Water Recovery with minimum
rejection
Chemical Free technologies
Best in class sludge management
Practices
Use of Clean Energy (Solar)

15

Awards & Recognitions

Selected among top 5 SMEs across India creating Impact
in
Masterpreneur TV Show by CNBC TV-18 2014
Winner at Bihar Innovation Forum 2014 and awarded at
hands of Hon CM Shri Nitish Kumar & Onno Ruhl Director
World Bank
Tata Strategic Management Group (TSMG) has recognized
RWS contribution in the space of community drinking
water and case study is being published by them in
upcoming forum in Oct 2013
Recipient of BITSAA International Global 30 under 30
Achievement award in field of social entrepreneurship
2012
MP Govt. (PHED) has recognized the success of AQUA-EDF
plants by publishing this as state success story for MP in
PHED Annual Report
Recognized by Ministry of Rural Water Supply (GoI) for
showcasing success story before all states in National
Seminar on Water Quality (Rite Water founder was
youngest speaker at this forum) 2011
Received LOI from Govt. of UK-DFID & SVCL Samriddhi Fund
to scale our operation across 8 low income states of India
16

Press Coverage (Print, TV, Online)

Changing Rural India

18