Story perspectives

Off-Grid Filter Cleans 36,000 Liters Sewage Daily for Crops

8/31/2026

Summary

Story summary

University of Cape Town researchers use a stone-wood-sand filter to clean river water for irrigation.
It treats 36,000 litres of sewage-laden water daily and removes about 99% of toxins.
3,000 litres are retained each day to irrigate vegetable gardens in Langrug settlement.
The off-grid system runs on solar power and pumps water through cells over five days.
Researcher Kevin Winter says climate-change-driven drought makes water-for-food strategies essential.

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Story summary

University of Cape Town researchers use a stone-wood-sand filter to clean river water for irrigation.
It treats 36,000 litres of sewage-laden water daily and removes about 99% of toxins.
3,000 litres are retained each day to irrigate vegetable gardens in Langrug settlement.
The off-grid system runs on solar power and pumps water through cells over five days.
Researcher Kevin Winter says climate-change-driven drought makes water-for-food strategies essential.