Danish firm all set to launch 'WaterCard' in India for ensuring potable water

Bjerringbro (Denmark): Denmark-based Grundfos, one of the largest pump manufacturers in the world, will launch an intelligent water dispensing system in India that accepts “WaterCard” like an ATM and converts raw water into potable for consumers. The company will launch AQpure and AQtap through which consumers can pay for the water via a smart card which is topped up with water credits prior to water tapping, Peter Todbjerg Hansen, Managing Director of the Grundfos Lifelink business told media here yesterday. AQpure is a modular water treatment which uses ultrafiltration technology to convert raw source water to potable water while AQtap is water dispenser. The intelligent water dispensing system is built in the form of an ATM with touch screen and user interface that requires swiping of the card, he said. [caption id=“attachment_2460760” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  AFP image[/caption] When a person wants to draw water from the dispenser, he would have to place the water card in the specified slot and the can under the tap. The recharging of the card can be made through the mobile payment mode or by cash mode, Hansen said. “Lack of access to reliable water supply is prevalent in both urban and rural areas in the country. The Grundfos Lifelink water solutions empowers water service providers to provide a more reliable water supply to consumers with the help of innovative technology through reliable partnerships across India. “It can apply to small or large water schemes, be it in rural or urban settings, for water utilities, NGOs and community-based organisations,” Hensen told reporters. According to a recent study in India, more than 97 million people lack access to safe drinking water, he said. “This concept has proven successful in our activities across Asia and Africa where our solutions are ensuring a reliable access to safe water for thousands of people already. We look forward to partnering with government and private sectors to deploy our proven solutions in India,” he said. Grundfos has also tied-up with eKutir, a social enterprise engaged in providing solutions to the low-income communities in India. eKutir’s WASH subsidiary, Svadha Wash, will identify potential segments among communities across the country, urban or rural, and Grundfos will provide innovative technologies and designs, such as water filtration (UF) units and smart water dispensing systems, he further said. The water service provider can also monitor the water kiosks remotely via the smart water management system. The AQtap water dispenser can be connected to the public water network or a local water supply, either for a single water kiosk or a complete grid of grouped water kiosks. The AQpure a modular water treatment unit uses ultrafiltration technology and produces potable water from raw source water. It can be used in water factories, operate as a stand-alone drinking water system or combined with AQtap water dispensers in water kiosk applications. The AQpure can be used in rural areas as it runs on solar energy and is completely automated. PTI