Christian Riordan, Thomas Keate

Studies predict that extreme weather events, due to climate change, are expected to increase in frequency and magnitude. Specifically, the flooding impacts from a hurricane may lead to the loss of necessary infrastructure like water treatment plants. This is especially concerning due to the loss of drinkable water available. In response we, as a multidisciplinary team, plan to develop a purification device that is able to effectively filter waste and sewage-contaminated water to allow communities and families, without available infrastructure, to receive drinkable water. We will be testing different processes of filtration to find the most efficient and cheapest method. This process of filtration would be possible due to a foldable solar array that would power a pump to push water through a filtration system. The solar array would supplement other disaster relief options due to its ability to be used without constant supervision, and it would be capable of continuous, reliable use. This would allow for the production of drinkable water in the event that water purification infrastructure was down, but contaminated water was available. The solar array and water purification device would be portable for fast deployment, with options of building a larger device, as part of a disaster relief preparedness package. If successful, this device has the potential to increase disaster preparedness and save lives through providing clean water.