The Tech Awards
First Name: Monroe
Last Name: Weber-Shirk
E-mail: mw24@cornell.edu
Telephone: (607) 255-8445
Fax: (607) 255-9004
Organization: AguaClara
Address: 220 Hollister Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
Applicant Type
Category / health / environment (which one fits best)
Project Name
Identify the technology application
The first innovation of the AguaClara team was a gravity powered flow controller that uses a miniature float valve coupled with a carefully designed length and diameter of tubing to create a linear relationship between flow rate and the elevation of the end of the tube. The students in Dr. Weber-Shirk's course developed this technology as part of a competition on Sustainable Small Scale Water Supplies. This flow controller fills a major technology gap since it is the first gravity powered flow controller that can easily be calibrated while providing a simple method for varying the flow rate in a known fashion without requiring trial and error.
The AguaClara water treatment plants contain a series of innovations that make it possible to build small scale facilities that are completely gravity powered. Conventional wisdom suggested that vertical flow hydraulic flocculators could not be designed for small scale facilities; therefore the alternative was to build an elevated tank containing shallow horizontal flow.
Explain how the technology application benefits humanity
The AguaClara team estimates that globally over 100 million people live in communities that are between 1000 and 50,000 in sizeand use piped turbid surface water that is not treated. If need for water purification is to be met over the next 10 years approximately 3 water treatment plants would need to be built daily. This does not include the added demand due to population growth and the need to replace aging infrastructure. Dr. Weber-Shirk recognized that the conventional approach of a full custom design for each facility was inefficient. The alternative, package plants that are built by large firms, have been shown to be a poor fit for the developing world. The solution that he is proposing is to automate the design process so that the technology can be easily replicated using local materials and labor by organizations with construction and engineering expertise (private, not for profit, or governmental organizations). Thus, local economies will be strengthened and local organizations will be empowered to build the facilities. The model that the AguaClara team is pursuing relies heavily on educating local people and using them as means for spreading the knowledge of the technology.
State why you think the nominee deserves recognition
Due to our efforts currently 15,000 people in Honduras have access to clean water and this is just a beginning, the potential for our technologies is immense. There are also many benefits that are more difficult to quantify. Plant operators are empowered to make the water treatment plant their own. It is especially rewarding to see plant operators take the initiative to add their own improvements to the water treatment plants. Through AguaClara, more students leave Cornell with a broader perspective on what it means to be a global citizen with the knowledge that they can use their skills to better the world.
The AguaClara team is committed to creating open source design tools that will make it possible for engineers in the Global South to build municipal scale drinking water treatment plants. We are committed to providing this design service free of charge. It is our hope that Implementation Partners will be able to use our Design service to leverage increased funding for improving drinking water infrastructure in the Global South.