Context
- CSIR-NEERI has deployed 100 NEERI-ZAR water purification units in flood-hit districts of Assam.
- The technology was developed in 2006 during the Barmer floods in Rajasthan and is designed for emergency drinking-water supply.
What is NEERI-ZAR?
- NEERI-ZAR is a gravity-based, portable water purification system developed by CSIR–National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI).
- It requires no electricity and can be transported and installed easily.
- It is particularly suited for disaster-hit and remote areas where conventional water-treatment infrastructure may be unavailable.
Key Features of NEERI-ZAR
- Gravity-operated: Works without pumps or external power.
- No electricity requirement: Suitable for areas with disrupted power supply.
- Removes: Turbidity, organic matter and bacterial contamination.
- Low maintenance: Simple to operate and transport.
- Emergency use: Designed for rapid deployment during floods and other disasters.
- Typical capacity: About 20 litres/hour per unit.
How Does It Help During Disasters?
- Floods can contaminate drinking-water sources with suspended matter, pathogens and other contaminants.
- NEERI-ZAR → Treatment of contaminated water → Safer drinking water
- It can therefore provide a decentralised water-treatment solution when pipelines, electricity and conventional treatment facilities are disrupted.
Q. With reference to NEERI-ZAR, consider the following statements:
1. It is a gravity-based water purification technology.
2. It requires electricity for its operation.
3. It can remove turbidity and bacterial contamination.
4. It was developed by CSIR-NEERI.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 3 and 4 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
• Statement 1 – Correct: NEERI-ZAR is gravity-operated.
• Statement 2 – Incorrect: It requires no electricity.
• Statement 3 – Correct: It removes turbidity and bacterial contamination.
• Statement 4 – Correct: It was developed by CSIR-NEERI.