Bill Gates has developed a fantastic invention that turns sewage into drinking water.

Not only does this machine look really impressive, it could help supply water to millions of people who currently have no access to safe drinking water, saving millions of lives. It is called the Janicki Omniprocessor, and it turns sewage sludge into drinking water and electricity. The machine is named after its founder, Peter Janicki.

It works by drying sewage waste (sludge) and then burning it. This creates steam that powers an engine, generating electricity. While this is happening, the water removed from the sewage is filtered and cleansed, producing safe drinking water.

This invention could have a huge impact across the world, providing millions of people with access to clean water.

 

Facts to make you think:

• 748 million people in the world don’t have access to safe drinking water. This works out as approximately one in ten people around the world.

• Over 500,000 children die every year from illnesses directly caused by unsafe drinking water.

• A running tap wastes 6 litres of water per minute.

• Australia is the highest user of water per capita in the world.

• Australia wastes more water per head than any other country in the world.

For more information about saving water, check out WaterAid.

Source(s): waterwise, WaterAid, thegatesnotes, helloU