Shower system unit without dependence on electricity or water grid. Provides safe, comfortable showering experience for user, complete with amenities. Implementation in Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya.On the MIT Global Challenge: http://globalchallenge.mit.edu/teams/view/139
Showergy Hygiene delivered. One shower at a time. Showergy Project Outline for MIT IDEAS Competition and MIT Global Challenge | Challenge| Implementation System | Unique Value Propositions | Design| Prototype | By Engineers Without Borders at MIT Our objective is to design and construct a cost-effective, scalable shower system for use in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. Showergy addresses two core issues in the area: sanitation and safety. Requiring no electricity or connection to the water or drainage grid, Showergy provides the local community, especially women and children, with an accessible, safe, and clean environment to shower.
Transcript
ShowergyHygiene delivered. One shower at a time.
Showergy Project Outline for MIT IDEAS Competition and MIT Global Challenge | Challenge| Implementation System | Unique Value Propositions | Design| Prototype |
By Engineers Without Borders at MIT
Our objective is to design and construct a cost-effective, scalable shower system for use in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. Showergy addresses two core issues in the area: sanitation and safety. Requiring no electricity or connection to the water or drainage grid, Showergy p r o v i d e s t h e l o c a l c o m m u n i t y, especially women and children, with an accessible, safe, and clean environment to shower.
Global Challenge
2 million/yearDeaths due to water and sanitation problem
Improved water and sanitation = a cure without medicine and clinics =
4%
KiberaKenyaPilot project location
Scalable project
*According to the World Health Organization** Slide 4
prevented global disease burden*
17 villages
7% population growth
750,000 people/sq. mile, or 30 times the density of NYC
Current methods of bathing :
Bathing in common waterways
using buckets inside the house
inadequate privacy, space, and drainage; pooling water represents a health danger, breeding mosquitoes and other disease vectors, as well as pathogens
Currently available shower services unable to impact communities **
Unique Value Propositionbetter accessibility for security and dignity of the customer
(if community shows enough interests) heated shower
comfort amenities:
lighting for early morning and evening showers
a drying area equipped with a mirror and cabinet to store valuables
Design low cost, sturdy materials (Refer to proposal for cost breakdown)
pump for water from reservoir (Water would be bought from local providers)
heating system to heat water
drainage system with gray water management to prevent discharge which is a common problem
Looking Ahead!
Summer 2011 2012
Testing in real location Ready for implementation
Test pumps,piping systems
Cost-effectiveness,User-friendliness
Water-reuseshower*,
Heating system
(Priorities)
possible future iteration
*includes a filter and solar purification system
SolidWorks Rendering of the shower unit with reservoir and water tank
Prototype
Implementation
Single unit shower
Location in outskirts of the slums due to lack of space: safety issues for the elderly,
women, and children to access the showers
Large size of infrastructure: maintenance difficulties and
high cost
potential distribution in landscape (~5% of space in Kibera
Problems in existed shower facilities
- installed throughout the hearts of the slums (by local workers; one-day process)
- a unit sold to an individual landlord who acts as an operator- local operators understand local conditions- an operator is only responsible for one shower (more efficient to maintain hygiene)
These showers will complement to the existing toilet facilities made by Sanergy, a sanitation company that currently focuses on providing toilets for Kenyan slums. Sanergy has workshop facilities near Kibera,
where it fabricates parts of its sanitation units, and requests for repairs can be made. Showergy will facilitate connections with local
maintenance facilities and help set up protocols for maintenance processes.
