Scientists at the University of South Australia, have discovered a simple way to remove bacteria and other contaminants from water using tiny particles of pure silica coated with an active nano-material.

The water treatment process is a new concept, not used anywhere else in the world, which has the potential to make a significant contribution to the health of nations worldwide.

A recent UNESCO report reveals that more than 6,000 people die every day from water-related diseases, and the availability of quality drinking water, especially in the developing world, is fast becoming a major socio-economic issue.

Current water purification techniques are often complicated and use sophisticated equipment, which is expensive to operate and maintain, and includes a final, costly disinfection stage. This can result in by-products like trihalomethane, which can have serious effects on human health.

Peter Majewski, professor of nanotechnology and nanomanufacturing at the University of South Australia, explained: “The water treatment process can remove bacteria, chemicals, viruses and other contaminants from water much more effectively than conventional water purification methods.

“Its major benefits include an easy to use chemical and physical treatment process that cleans water without requiring additional energy, and uses recyclable non-toxic base materials like the waste product silica and water, which brings costs down. These features make it a very attractive alternative to desalination, which incurs high energy costs.

“UniSA’s nano-solution to water purification has the potential to prevent disease and poisoning of millions of people.”

Testing of the active particles demonstrates that they can remove pathogens such as the Polio virus, bacteria such as Escherichia coli, and the waterborne parasite Cryptosporidium parvum.