Problem

Rural communities often face challenges in accessing clean water sources. The lack of infrastructure and resources makes it difficult to transport and store water effectively. This can lead to health issues, economic setbacks, and reduced quality of life for residents.

The Sahel, marked by a 40% decline in water availability over the past two decades, faces an urgent crisis exacerbated by migration and educational disparities. Residents, especially young girls, endure daily treks of up to 6.5km for water. In this context, the challenge was to create an efficient, human-powered vehicular system for water collection. The aim was to decrease retrieval time, increase water volume transported in one trip, and evaluate the solution's viability.

Solution

Our team developed a comprehensive water transportation system design that addressed the unique challenges faced by rural communities. We utilized a multidisciplinary approach that incorporated engineering principles and expertise in water management.

The design included innovative solutions such as identifying suitable water sources, optimizing storage methods, and developing efficient transportation systems. We also considered factors such as cost-effectiveness and sustainability to ensure that the system was practical for implementation in rural areas.

Implementation

The team began by establishing a suitable design specification and creating concept sketches which could potentially work as a method of transportation. In designing human-powered vehicles to address water accessibility issues, several key factors held significant importance. Aiming to provide a practical solution for women lacking access to clean water took precedence. Cost-effectiveness was crucial due to limited funding. Durability and maintenance were important as they impacted costs and performance; a durable and well-maintained vehicle would ensure a longer product life cycle. Safety of the user, given limited medical access, also had to be taken into account. The materials used for each component of the vehicle had to be justified against this specification. Each team member designed concept sketches and justifications for the designs. These were discussed until one primary design incorporating features from all sketches was agreed on.

The final design incorporated an innovative solution: a pedal-powered cart attached to a zip line, uniquely tailored to the specific challenges of the Sahel region. This final design utilized the zip line to cover distances efficiently, minimizing the physical strain on the users. The cart, equipped with pedals, allowed for human-powered propulsion, ensuring sustainability and reducing environmental impact. The design incorporated two 70 litre water tanks, equipped with filtration systems, positioned on each end to maintain balance during transportation.

Skills Developed

Cost Analysis
Life Cycle Analysis
Agile Project Management
Engineering Sustainability
Solidworks
Teamwork

Rural Water Access Improved with New System