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[[Image:setup of WATAsol.jpg|thumb|right|150px250px|Setup of WATAsol, with electrodes in salt water.]][[Image:Bubbles.jpg|thumb|right|150px250px|Bubbles produced during electrolysis.]][[Image:Line of products.jpg|thumb|right|150px250px|Line of products: from left to right the mini-WATA, reugular WATA and Maxi-WATA]]
The Watasol is simple a device which produces active chlorine from salt water using electrolysis. The device consists of two tungsten electrodes in a plastic container, and a transformer. The active chlorine forms hydrochloric acid when added to water. As the active chlorine has a very strong oxidizing power, is destroys almost all pathogenic germs including diarrhoeal diseases, dysentery, cholera, typhoid fever, salmonellosis and hepatitis A.
# Excess chlorine that is not consumed or combined remains in the water. This portion is called free residual chlorine (FRC). The free residual chlorine helps prevent recontamination of the treated water.
==History and Social Context==
Chlorine began to be widely used as a disinfectant in the early 1900’s. It revolutionized drinking water treatment and dramatically reduced the incidence of waterborne diseases. In many countries, among which the United States, chlorine remains the most widely used chemical for water disinfection.
WATAsol is now being produced in around 50 countries. It reaches the people in need through local NGOs, and local community and private enterprises. Starting from 2009, Antenna Technologies is hoping to expand their reach further through partnership-franchises with local enterprises as partners. The WATAsol has also been incorporated in development programmes led by other organizations.
==Suitable Conditions==
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==Technical SpecificationsConstruction, operations and maintenance==
The effectiveness of chlorine depends on the turbidity, the organic matter content, the temperature and the pH of the water being treated. For high turbidity levels, the water should first be filtered through a cloth or sedimented before adding chlorine. These processes will remove some of the suspended particles and improve the reaction between the chlorine and pathogens.
The treated water should be stored in a clean, opaque, closed container. The WATA device, equipment, and containers used should be rinsed thoroughly after every procedure.
=====Maintenance=====It is advisable to treat the WATA device after about 150 hours of use. The mini-WATA and regular WATA can be treated by immersing them in a container filled with lemon juice or vinegar for a night. The maxi-WATA needs to be treated with diluted sulphuric acid or hydrochloric acid. =====Manufacturing=====
The WATA device is a registered product from Antenna Technologies.
The WATA kit includes:
The chlorination however should be supervised by a qualified person.
====Maintenance====It is advisable to treat the WATA device after about 150 hours of use. The mini-WATA and regular WATA can be treated by immersing them in a container filled with lemon juice or vinegar for a night. The maxi-WATA needs to be treated with diluted sulphuric acid or hydrochloric acid. ====Estimated Lifespan=====
The WATA device is expected to operate for about 20,000 hours. If used for 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, it would last about 4.5 years.
==CostCosts==
Excluding shipping the costs are
==ManualsReference manuals, videos, and links==* [http://www.antenna.ch/en/drinking_water/wata-products.html WATA kit manuals, provided by Antenna Technologies.] * [http://www.antenna.ch/en/drinking_water/wata-quality.html Quality control reagent manuals, provided by Antenna Technologies.]* [http://www.antenna.ch/en/drinking_water/wata-description.html Description of the WATA device on the website of Antenna Technologies.]==Movies==* [[Solution_of_the_week_3|Akvo water solution of the week 3.]]
==External LinksAcknowledgements==*[http://www.antenna.ch/en/drinking_water/wata-description.html Description of the WATA device on the website of Antenna Technologies.]*[[Solution_of_the_week_3|Akvo water solution of the week 3]]