Innovative Tuk tuk as mobile water purification system

Consortium partners:

Plotus Technology Ltd

OffGridBox – https://www.offgridbox.com

Context

In Northern Kenya, communities such as the El Molo face chronic shortages of clean drinking water and reliable electricity. Located around Lake Turkana, these populations are geographically isolated, economically vulnerable, and heavily dependent on external aid. The lake’s high salinity, fluoride levels, and increasing pollution render its water unfit for consumption, leading to serious health risks such as diarrhoea and bone deformities.

Existing purification systems are often too expensive to maintain over time, and many are fixed installations that can only serve specific locations. As a result, large portions of the population, including schools and health clinics, remain underserved. Access to electricity is also extremely limited; although mobile phones are common, people lack stable energy sources to charge devices or stay connected.

This initiative addresses these pressing needs with a mobile, off-grid unit powered by solar energy and a generator. By assembling and producing the system locally, import costs are reduced while supporting local economic activity. Its smaller scale and modular design make it easier to maintain, even in remote settings. The unit’s mobility allows it to serve multiple villages and makes it possible to be flexible during emergencies or periods of drought.

By purifying water on-site and providing basic energy services, the project offers a sustainable and scalable solution to water and energy poverty in rural, underserved areas.

Projectgoal en outputs

This initiative aims to develop a functional prototype of a mobile water filtration unit based on reverse osmosis technology, combined with a sustainable hybrid energy system. The unit will be tested in a real-life, local setting and adapted based on technical, social, and economic feedback.

Key activities include:

Developing and assembling the prototype locally in Kenya
Conducting a technical feasibility study and optimising the hybrid energy system (solar and diesel)
Carrying out user tests with the El Molo community and other lakeside communities
Co-creating a locally supported business model with cost recovery through water and energy services

Monitoring and documenting performance and user experience to inform the next phase of development

Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
The project contributes to reducing water-related diseases by improving access to safe drinking water in vulnerable communities.

SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation
The Tuk Tuk unit delivers WHO-standard water purification directly to areas lacking infrastructure, enabling on-site access to clean water.

SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy
By combining solar power with a backup generator, the system provides reliable, sustainable electricity for essential community services.

SDG 13 – Climate Action
The mobile installation strengthens community resilience to climate-related challenges such as droughts and floods, due to its rapid deployability in times of crisis.