Solution to water woes in Gaza

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Solution to water woes in Gaza

A Palestinian engineer Diaa Abu Assi has pioneered a system which can turn seawater potable and could be helpful to meet water shortage in Gaza.

Funded by Gaza's Islamic University -- which is linked with the enclave's rulers Hamas -- in cooperation with an Omani research organisation, the project uses nanotechnology to reduce the salinity in seawater to a drinkable level.

It pumps water at high speed through large iron pipes and filters made of nano-material to extract the saline. The water is then retreated with minerals that were removed during the desalination process.

The filter contains microscopic pores which are small enough to block the chlorine and sodium ions in seawater while allowing through the water molecules.

"The idea is to save Gaza from the disaster that awaits it in the next five years by using the one resource we do have -- seawater," Abu Assi says.

Gaza, home to 1.8 million Palestinians, consumes 180 million cubic metres of water per year, half of which is used in agriculture and industry.

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