As many states in India are suffering from severe droughts, scientists in Tamil Nadu have devised a new way to make seawater potable as well as safe to drink. Around 13 states in India are currently facing the problem of very less amount of water.

The scientists have been successful in producing 6.3 million litres of water every day. They have also developed certain filtration methods that will ensure groundwater containing arsenic and uranium is safe to drink. The Pilot Plant which was set up by the scientists of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is located at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu.

Here the scientists use the waste steam from a nuclear reactor to purify the seawater.

The water is desalinated and it tastes like fresh water, not like saline at all. Several plants have been installed in West Bengal, Punjab, Rajasthan, said KN Vyas, Director of BARC, Mumbai. He also said that BARC has developed several membranes that can produce purified drinking water out of groundwater contaminated by uranium or arsenic, at very low cost.

These scientists have also made several household water purifiers that are being marketed all over the drought-hit areas of Marathwada, Maharashtra. These purifiers have thin membranes and special filters to separate contaminants.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his recent visit to BARC, had pedalled a bicycle that had a water purifier installed on it. It turns dirty contaminated water into potable water. Turning the pedals produces the energy the purifier needs.