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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.
The WATA device and its use was designed by [[http://www.antenna.ch/en/drinking-water.html Antenna Technologies]] based on the norms of the World Health organization on for example the accepted quality of water, amount of chlorine needed to disinfect 1L of water and the acceptable amount of free residual chlorine.
When chlorine is added to water, it has three separate effects:
Sodium hypochlorite is one form of chlorine used for water disinfection. It can be manufactured in most locations since it can be obtained through the electrolysis of salt water. Bottles can be purchased for household water treatment from many manufacturers in various sizes. Chlorine concentrations range from 0.5 to 10% and each product has its own instructions for correct dosing of contaminated water. Liquid household bleach also contains sodium hypochlorite, and is widely available.
The problem is that in many developing countries, chlorine is imported, rather than produced locally. This increases the price tremendously as it adds transportation, storage, and other related costs. Often also the source and transportation is not reliable in certain remote areas. The WATAsol devices, developed by [[http://www.antenna.ch/en/drinking-water.html Antenna Technologies]] allow chlorine to be produced locally, on different scales to provide chlorine disinfectants for individual households, health centres and hospitals, and emergency relief.
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.
