Virtual Booth

HydraSafe is a sustainable portable water storage and gravity-powered purification system developed to improve household water preparedness during temporary water supply disruptions while supporting outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, trekking, and expedition travel. Conventional emergency water storage methods often rely on bulky containers and single-use bottled water, which occupy valuable space, generate plastic waste, and provide limited sustainability. Outdoor enthusiasts also require lightweight, compact, and reliable water storage solutions that operate independently of electricity. HydraSafe integrates a collapsible food-grade thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) reservoir, an antimicrobial silver storage component that helps maintain storage hygiene, and a gravity-driven 0.1 μm hollow-fiber membrane filtration system into a compact, reusable device. The prototype was developed using a human-centred engineering design process involving material selection, conceptual design, prototype assembly, and experimental performance evaluation. Testing included portability, leakage resistance, gravity flow rate, and filtration performance using simulated household water samples. Results demonstrated that the collapsible reservoir significantly reduced storage volume after use, while the gravity-powered membrane filter improved water clarity by removing suspended particles without requiring electrical energy. Its lightweight, foldable design enhances portability for both household preparedness and outdoor applications. By reducing dependence on disposable plastic bottles and encouraging reusable water storage, HydraSafe promotes sustainable resource management and environmental conservation. The innovation supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action), demonstrating practical engineering solutions for resilient and sustainable water security.