A pilot project, led by a consortium of partners including Aston University, has reached a significant milestone in alleviating water challenges faced by coastal villages in India and other emerging economies.

The India-H2O project, an EU-funded initiative aimed at addressing the growing water scarcity in coastal regions, has successfully completed its pilot project in the coastal area of Gujarat state using desalination, the process of removing salt from water.

A desalination plant was specifically designed to tackle the unique water issues prevalent in coastal regions. These areas often suffer from a scarcity of clean water due to levels of salt found in groundwater, which limits access to safe drinking water.

Through innovative desalination technology, where salt is removed from water, and the design of closed loop supply chain for sustainable practices, the India-H2O team has developed a solution that not only purifies salt water but also ensures that it is safe and affordable for communities to use.

These solutions include advanced methods to make desalination more energy-efficient, filtering water using renewable energy, recycling wastewater through natural plant processes and using salt-tolerant plants (halophytes) to manage leftover salty water. These innovative approaches have shown great promise in providing sustainable clean drinking water in coastal villages, helping to reduce water scarcity. Additionally, growing these special plants supports the food supply chain and creates jobs in the community.

Prasanta Dey, professor of operations management at Aston Business School, and lead for supply chain innovation and business case assessment for the project, said,

“The completion of this pilot project, its successful operations for more than six months, and feasibility of village scale deployment of the project across coastal villages in Gujarat state ensure commercial uptake of the project not only in India but also across the emerging economies.

“We are proud to have developed a solution that has the potential to transform the lives of people living in water-scarce coastal regions. Our technology not only addresses the immediate need for clean water but also contributes to the long-term sustainability of these communities.

“It is a promising approach that can be replicated across other coastal regions in India and in emerging economies worldwide.”

Building on the success of the pilot project, the India-H2O team is now focusing on scaling up the solution to reach more communities across coastal India. Discussions are also underway with stakeholders in other emerging economies to explore the potential for adapting and implementing this innovative solution in their regions.