The Scenario: It is easy to forget that access to potable water is considered a luxury for much of the world. You are reminded of this fact on a trip to a rural village in East Asia. You learn from the locals that their water supply has been contaminated — the cause of recent illnesses that sound a lot like cholera and dysentery. In addition to dirt, sewage, bacteria, and parasites, you suspect other contaminants such as arsenic and benzene from industrial dumping many miles up river. Ideally, nobody should drink this water — but the villagers are unwilling to relocate.
The Challenge: Create a makeshift solution to filter and purify the water. The solution should be permanent and able to provide drinkable water for 20 to 30 people. Tools and materials at your disposal include materials that can be reasonably extracted from the environment and items on the supply list. You have 48 hours.
Supply List:
2 barrels
1 bicycle with flat tires
1 car battery
6 one-liter plastic bottles of water
Various lengths of bamboo tubes (1”-3” diameter)
Variety of tools
(saw, hammer, pliers, hand drill)
Steel wool
Endless supply of coconuts
$10 in mixed American coins
Email a detailed description of your MakeShift solution with sketches and/or photos to makeshift@makezine.com by July 1. If duplicate solutions are submitted, the winner will be determined by the quality of the explanation and presentation. The most plausible and most creative solutions will win a MAKE T-shirt. Think positive and include your shirt size and contact information with your description. Good luck! For readers' solutions to previous MakeShift challenges, visit makezine.com/makeshift.
William Lidwell is a consultant with Stuff Creators Design Studio and co-author of the book Universal Principles of Design.
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