Death by heat: the Chulli treatment system

The chulli system is an innovative technology for household treatment of microbiologically contaminated water. A metal coil is built into a traditional clay oven, and during cooking events water is passed through the coil, raising the effluent temperature to at least 60° C and effectively pasteurizing the water. The capital costs are low, and no additional time or fuel is required to treat the water. Although first developed for use in arsenicaffected areas of Bangladesh, it is now finding wider application in coastal areas affected by cyclone Sidr, where surface water is the main source of drinking water.