What Is Solvatten?
Solvatten is a clever, portable system that combines water treatment and water heating, designed especially for off-grid households in the developing world. It’s an easy, innovative solution that brings clean, hot water right to people’s doorsteps. Thanks to its tough, durable design, Solvatten offers an affordable and convenient way to access safe, hot water — no electricity needed.
Main Benefits of Solvatten
Here’s why Solvatten really makes a difference:
- Millions of women and children in developing countries walk miles daily to fetch water and firewood — Solvatten cuts down that burden.
- It heats water up to 75°C (167°F), killing harmful microorganisms and making water safe for cooking, bathing, and cleaning.
- Each unit lasts 7-10 years, providing long-term protection when kids are most vulnerable to waterborne diseases.
- Using Solvatten reduces reliance on firewood, which means less smoke inhalation, fewer burn injuries, and less deforestation.
- It works even on partly cloudy days — just not during heavy rain or thick clouds.
How Does Solvatten Work?
Solar energy is a powerful tool for cleaning water, and Solvatten taps into that perfectly. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays break down the DNA of harmful microorganisms, stopping them from reproducing and making the water safe. At the same time, the sun heats the water, boosting the purification process. The result? Water that’s not only safe but also hot — perfect for all kinds of household uses.
The Purification Process
Here’s the simple step-by-step:
- Fill the two 5-litre containers through an opening with a 35-micron fabric filter that catches bigger particles.
- Place the unit in direct sunlight. The sun heats the water and blasts it with UV rays.
- Within 2-6 hours, depending on sunlight, the water becomes free of harmful pathogens.
- An easy-to-understand indicator changes from a red sad face to a green happy face, signaling the water is ready — even kids get it!
The Big Issue Solvatten Tackles
Safe water and good hygiene are daily struggles for millions living in poverty. Around the world, 1 in 3 people don’t have reliable electricity, and 1 in 8 lack safe, clean water at home. Without energy infrastructure, many rely on wood and charcoal for cooking and heating water — which uses up to 70% of household energy in places like Sub-Saharan Africa. This dependence causes health problems from smoke, injuries from burns, and environmental damage like deforestation and increased carbon emissions.
Solvatten’s Impact on Communities and the Environment
- Supports improved school attendance by reducing sick days and freeing children from chores like collecting firewood (SDG 4).
- Protects women and children who often face risks gathering firewood in remote areas.
- Saves time, letting people focus on work or other productive activities.
- Helps break the cycle of poverty by improving health, saving money, and boosting productivity (SDG 1).
- Enhances hygiene and reduces malnutrition, especially in children, by tackling waterborne diseases and easing the transition from breast milk (SDG 2).
- Contributes to all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals by improving lives and protecting the planet.
Why Solvatten Stands Out
Solvatten isn’t just another water treatment device. It’s a patented technology with a unique design that’s easy to use and understand. Fill it up, leave it in the sun, and wait for the green smiley face — simple as that. Beyond treating water, Solvatten strengthens families, saves money, and reduces harmful environmental practices. It brings the basic clean and hot water infrastructure that everyone deserves — for drinking, cooking, and cleaning — all powered by just water and sunlight.
