Removal of hardness from well water using a solar still

Provision of potable water with the aid of a solar still is a promising technology in remote areas of developing countries. This study investigated the treatment of hard well water by using a single-slope solar still. The water sample was obtained from a solar-powered borehole in a students’ hall of residence in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. The solar still was constructed with a 2 mm thick galvanized iron sheet with basin area of 800 mm x 600 mm and covered with transparent plain glass sheet of thickness 4 mm. Laboratory tests were carried out before and after treatment to determine the degree of removal of hardness. The still removed, on the average, 92% of the hardness of the well water.