In October 2021, the Good News Network reported on a project by Finnish company Solar Water Solutions (SWS) in Kitui County, Kenya. Backed by the Dutch group Climate Fund Managers, 200 containerised reverse osmosis units, powered entirely by solar panels, were to supply water, with a long-term goal of serving 400,000 rural residents by 2023. According to the report, the technology treated 4,000 to 7,000 litres of seawater or 10,000 litres of brackish water per hour. SWS said it cleaned the membranes only with non-toxic agents such as citric acid.
The report reflected the approach of pairing small, modular desalination with solar power to serve rural communities, alongside questions about handling brine and cleaning chemicals.
Source: Good News Network