Project_Tracker¶

Access to safe and clean drinking water remains a critical challenge in Africa, particularly in Kenya, where approximately 21 million people lacked basic water services in 2020. In Kisumu, the city I come from, many communities rely on pump-based water systems without reliable monitoring, resulting in water that often contains suspended particles, heavy metals, and other contaminants. Rural areas face an even greater challenge, as three out of four people still lack safely managed drinking water, contributing to widespread health risks and inequality in access to basic hygiene.

This project proposes a portable, modular water purification and control system designed to enhance the safety of existing water sources, including boreholes, rivers, community wells, and storage tanks, without requiring major infrastructure changes. The system integrates electrocoagulation to bind fine particles and heavy metals, followed by a physical filtration stage to remove sediments. Real-time turbidity and flow sensors feed a microcontroller-based closed-loop control system, ensuring water only flows when safety conditions are met. Electronically controlled valves regulate water delivery, while a dashboard provides communities with transparent, actionable insights into water quality and system status.

Designed for affordability, local manufacturability, portability, and scalability, this solution strengthens access to safe water at the community level and contributes directly to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6.1. By combining intelligent monitoring, filtration, and automated control, the project demonstrates how practical, technology-driven interventions can address persistent water safety challenges in Kisumu and similar contexts across Africa.

Sketch¶

Initial Designs¶

Hand Sketches¶

3D Models¶

(Include links or screenshots of your 3D models.)

I used chatgp with this prompt to generate the sketch:

Generate clean 2D flat illustration of a water purification system arranged horizontally (left to right) on a white background. Use simple colored rectangular blocks connected by colored pipes. Show: blue water pump, gray electrocoagulation unit with visible parallel electrodes, transparent filtration unit with cylindrical cartridge and colored layers inside, turbidity sensor, inline flow sensor, and solenoid valve with coil. No arrows, no 3D, no blueprint style.

## START – Water Source

The system begins with any available water source such as a borehole, river intake, storage tank, or community well. At this stage, the water quality is unknown and may contain suspended particles, heavy metals, and other contaminants.

## Existing Pump

An existing pump (already installed at the site) lifts water from the source. The proposed system is designed to attach downstream of this pump, meaning no major infrastructure replacement is required.

## Pump 1 (System Intake Control)

Pump 1 is part of the portable module and provides controlled intake pressure and flow into the treatment system. It ensures stable operating conditions for electrocoagulation and filtering, regardless of fluctuations from the existing pump.

## Electrocoagulation Unit

Water flows into the electrocoagulation (EC) chamber, where a low-voltage electric current is applied across metal electrodes.

Function:

Dissolves electrode material to form coagulants

Causes fine particles, colloids, and heavy metals to bind together (flocculation)

Converts difficult-to-remove contaminants into larger, filterable particles

This process significantly improves water clarity and reduces chemical contamination without adding external chemicals.

## Primary Physical Filter

The water then passes through a physical filter designed to capture:

Coagulated flocs formed in the EC unit

Suspended sediments and debris

This step prevents downstream sensors and valves from clogging and improves the accuracy of turbidity measurement.

## Turbidity Sensor (Water Clarity Check)

After filtration, a turbidity sensor measures how clear the water is by detecting light scattering caused by suspended particles.

Decision Point:

If turbidity is above the acceptable limit:

The solenoid valve is closed

Water flow is stopped or redirected

The system waits or recirculates water for further treatment

If turbidity is within acceptable limits:

Water is considered suitable for downstream disinfection

The system proceeds to flow regulation

This ensures that only sufficiently clear water moves forward.

## Flow Sensor (Flow Measurement & Regulation)

The flow sensor measures the real-time water flow rate. This data is critical because downstream disinfection systems (such as UV–TiO₂) require specific flow ranges to operate effectively.

## Flow Control Valve (Electronically Controlled)

Based on flow sensor data, an electronically controlled valve adjusts the water flow to remain within the desired range.

Purpose:

Prevents under- or over-flow

Acts as the final control gate of the module

14/02/2026 Team Conversation¶

Key Points Discussed: - Proposal Content: Must include technology explanation and application in Kenya.
- Sustainability: Focus on ensuring the project is practical and long-lasting, avoiding failures seen in similar projects.
- Value Addition: Ensure project is chemical-free and possibly provides cold water treatment.
- Team Expansion: Include members beyond the design team, e.g., village beta tester representative.
- Prototyping: Develop a smaller scale model of the system.
- Modularity: Ensure universal connectable parts for flexibility.
- Testing Requirements: Identify or acquire a water quality testing device.
- Action for Charles: Improve diagrams and 3D models for clarity and accuracy.

Next Steps / To-Do:

Refine all diagrams and 3D models.
Prepare a smaller prototype for initial testing.
Research or acquire a water quality testing device.
Identify additional team members for testing and feedback.