Neeri Filters Ensure Safe Drinking Water In Flood-Hit Assam When floods disrupted water supply systems and left local sources contaminated in Assam’s Jorhat district, scientists from the CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (Neeri) in Nagpur devised a low-tech solution to provide safe drinking water. The institute deployed its Neeri-ZAR zero-energy water filtration system, a gravity-driven technology that operates without electricity and can be assembled locally within days. This innovation was introduced to address the urgent need for clean water in flood-affected areas where conventional infrastructure had been compromised. The Neeri-ZAR system, developed by CSIR-NEERI, uses gravity to drive the filtration process, eliminating the need for power. The household version of the filter consists of two 22-litre vessels and, when operated for about an hour daily, can meet the drinking and cooking water requirements of five to six people. This capacity is based on an estimated daily need of 6 to 10 litres per person for drinking and cooking. A larger community version, using two 100-litre vessels, can cater to the needs of approximately 10 households. The technology was demonstrated and distributed in Jonakimondal village of Jorhat district, where around five household units and five community-level units were provided to flood-affected residents. A key aspect of the deployment was the local assembly of the filters at CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat, using readily available materials within two days. This approach highlighted the system’s adaptability, enabling rapid deployment close to disaster-hit communities rather than relying on transporting pre-fabricated units from elsewhere. The initiative underscores the importance of decentralized, low-cost solutions in disaster response.#assam #jorhat #neeri #csirneeri #jonakimondal
CSIR Chief Urges NEERI to Focus on Global Technologies and Kodaikanal Clean-Up as National Pride Nagpur: Dr. N Kalaiselvi, the head of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), called for a renewed global focus in scientific research during her address at the 68th Foundation Day celebrations of the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) on April 8. Highlighting the institute’s role in addressing environmental challenges, she emphasized the need to prioritize at least two long-term, globally competitive technologies to position NEERI as a National Centre of Excellence. Her remarks underscored the importance of impactful science, with the successful remediation of the mercury-contaminated site in Kodaikanal serving as a “matter of national pride” and a model for transformative research. Dr. Kalaiselvi, who delivered the keynote speech, urged scientists at NEERI to revive the institute’s legacy by enhancing research excellence and societal impact. She called for active participation in proposal submissions, mentorship of at least three students each, and the generation of meaningful success stories. While acknowledging NEERI’s progress in tackling societal challenges, she pointed out gaps in research impact, urging a tripling of its current output. To achieve this, she advocated for the accreditation of all R&D facilities, expansion of accredited labs, and the formation of collaborative consortia to boost visibility and outcomes. The CSIR chief also praised NEERI’s testbed facility, stressing the need for sustainable business models to ensure long-term viability. She emphasized that the institute’s work must not only address immediate environmental issues but also contribute to broader scientific advancements.#csir #csir_chief #neeri #kodaikanal_clean_up #foundation_day_celebrations
