Global Health Medical Device Compendium/TATA Swach

Contaminated water sources are often the cause for diarrheal diseases. Inhabitants in low-resource settings often lack ready access to clean water and are most susceptible to diseases caused by contaminated water.

The TATA Swach is a standalone unit that purifies water. The water is poured at the top of the unit and flows through a paddy husk ash filter. The filter using ash as a matrix kills approximately 80% of the bacteria causing diseases. The filter can be used for 3,000 litres (200 days for a family of five) before replacement.

• Manufacturer: TATA Chemicals Ltd.
• Manufacturer location: India

This device was tested and produced in India. The company will produce one million units per year giving India the first opportunity to purchase the product. TATA hopes to export the filter to Africa.

Lavallee, A., & Veach, E. (2010, October 25). Tata Water Purifier Wins the Top Prize for Novel Product. The Wall Street Journal.

Tata Chemicals launches "Tata Swach". (2009, December 7). Retrieved February 12, 2012, from Nanotechnology Now. Link available here.

Tata Chemicals is the 2010 winner of the ICIS Innovation Awards. (2010, October 11). Retrieved February 9, 2012, from ICIS.com Link available here.

Tata Swach Nanotech Water Purifier. (2010, December 7). Retrieved February 9, 2012, from IDSA. Link available here.