Clean dream: Tata reveals low-cost water purifier

Mumbai – The world’s cheapest water purifier has hit the market, with the hopes that it will offer an affordable, simple-to-use solution for people who lack clean drinking water.

The Tata Swach (‘swach’ is Hindi for ‘clean’), by Tata Chemicals, a subsidiary of Tata Group, is a simple device that uses a mixture of rice husk ash and nano-silver particles to kill disease-causing bacteria in water. The portable, filter-based product requires no energy or running water to operate, and costs Rs30 (£0.40, €0.45) per month for a family of five.

Having previously produced the Nano, the world’s cheapest car, Tata is fast becoming known as the Dyson of the developing world, focusing on low-tech, high-impact solutions to the region’s everyday necessities.