Clean, safe & affordable water

Unilever aims to protect a billion lives and save a million children, by making Pureit products more widely available.

A global problem

It’s a shocking statistic that a billion people on the planet do not have access to clean water. In the developing world, 80% of all diseases are water-borne with jaundice, typhoid and cholera widespread. Diarrhoea remains the second leading cause of death among children under five: in India alone, it accounts for around 400,000 every year.

In response to this global problem, Unilever began working with technology partners, government bodies, and scientific and public health institutions to develop an effective and affordable answer.

Accessibility is key

Launched in India in 2005, Pureit products are the only in-home purifiers to provide water that’s ‘as safe as boiled’ without the need for cooking gas, electricity or a pressurised supply. In other words: they work anytime, anywhere.

By 2009, the product had been rolled out to all 28 states in India, bringing safe drinking water to more than fifteen million people in three million households. Unilever’s challenge now is to reach more people across the developing world.

One unit costs €29 to buy and around half a Euro cent per litre to run, making it much more affordable than all other means of purification.

Breakthrough technology

PureIt is a feat of engineering innovation developed through the combined efforts of over a hundred scientists at Unilever research labs in India and the UK.

In a four-stage process, microfibre mesh first removes visible dirt. The water then flows through a compact carbon trap which removes harmful parasites and pesticide impurities. The Germkill™ processor uses sustained release chlorine technology to target and kill viruses and bacteria. Finally a polisher removes further impurities and residual chlorine to give great tasting water that’s odourless and visibly clear.

The unique battery life indicator alerts consumers when to replace the battery and an auto switch-off feature provides an additional assurance of safety by stopping the flow of water when the indicator turns red.

Watch the video for a closer look at the innovation behind Pureit.

Brought to life through partnership

Whilst developing the technology was a difficult but realistic challenge for Unilever scientists, creating the actual product needed experience and expertise beyond our capabilities. And so we sought a partner who could bring what we couldn’t – knowledge of aesthetics in the design and manufacture of the units.

This was a really successful partnership, not least because the nature of the collaboration – and of the problem – made it hugely motivating for all to seek solutions to various issues encountered along the way.

Proof of performance

Pureit quickly proved its credentials within the scientific, medical and public health communities, and convinced doctors of its efficacy. Its performance has been verified and endorsed by leading institutions such as the Sundaram Medical Foundation, the Indian Public Health Association and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. It also meets the criteria of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the toughest regulatory body in the US.

What’s more, the product has received numerous awards including the 2008 UK Trade and Investment India Business Award for innovation, the UNESCO Water Digest Water Award 2008/09 for the best domestic non-electrical purifier, and the 2008 Golden Peacock Product/Service Innovation Award.