User:Warkawater/sandbox

"1.1 billion people has no access to any type of improved drinking source of water."

‘Warka Water’ offers an alternative water source to rural population that faces challenges in accessing drinkable water. It is a vertical structure with a special fabric hanging inside that collects potable water from the air by means of condensation.

Introduction
During an excursion to the North East Ethiopia, we came across this dramatic reality; the luck of potable water. Ethiopia is a nation full of beauty and culture and this geographical area is characterized by many small isolated villages distributed in rural areas located in very high plateau, up to 4500m. They live in a beautiful natural environment but often without running water, electricity, a toilet or a shower. To survive to this condition, women and children are walking everyday for long distances towards shallow and unprotected ponds. They use old yellow plastic containers as well as dry carved pumpkins to collect the water which is often contaminated with human and animal waste, worms or disease. This need and dramatic situation was the main catalyst and motivation to design a solution to mitigate the problem. Warka is designed to provide clean water as well as ensure long-term environmental, financial and social sustainability.

The Name
Not only are trees beautiful to look at, but they also support our life by providing resources and shelters. In pastoral Ethiopian culture, the Warka Tree (Ficus Vasta) – a giant fig tree – is an institution. The shade is used for traditional public gatherings, school education. These trees constitute a very important part of the ecosystem and culture of Ethiopia. Unfortunately, their disappearance seems unavoidable. "The country has lost 98% of its forested regions in the last 50 years."