Engineer tests machine in Shannon aimed at making sea water drinkable

'Since less than 20 per cent of the fresh water on this planet is fit for human consumption, Dr McCabe has given humankind a cost-effective technique'

A device that could help solve the world's growing drinking water problems will shortly be placed in the Shannon estuary for important test trials.

The McCabe Water Pump (MWP) - more than 20 years in development by scientist and civil engineer, Dr Peter McCabe - converts sea water to drinking water and is powered by wave energy.

Ahead of the trial off Kilbaha, Co Clare, at the mouth of the Shannon estuary, Dr McCabe said: "I foresee no difficulties, but I have insisted that the tests of the commercial prototype of the MWP be carried out in detail before going to sea."

Currently, the 43-metre long, four-metre wide MWP is located at Foynes Engineering at Foynes harbour before being placed in the Shannon estuary.

Consisting of three steel pontoons hinged together, the MCW is designed to deliver between 100,000 and 200,000 gallons of fresh water per day. The power to operate the system is derived from ocean swell.

According to Dr McCabe, the wave-generated motion of the first and third barges forces the centre barge's high-pressure water pumps to drive salt water through a filtering system and then, via water hoses, to an on-shore reverse osmosis desalination system. "The result is a consistent, cheap supply of potable water," he said.

The venture is headed by a Killarney-based company, Hydam Technology Ltd, and the Department of Energy and Natural Resources is due to give a foreshore licence to the company to carry out its investigations in the next few weeks.

Dr McCabe first developed the idea in 1980. However, due to a lack of funds, major work has been carried out on the project only since 1994, with €2.5 million being provided by mainly private enterprise.

According to Dr McCabe, three MWP models - which will be manufactured by Foynes Engineering - have been ordered by the Indian government, while interest has also been expressed by the US navy to provide fresh water for its coastal communities.

Research professor at John Hopkins University in Maryland, Dr Michael McCormick, who has helped to develop the MWP, said: "Since less than 20 per cent of the fresh water on this planet is fit for human consumption, Dr McCabe has given humankind a cost-effective technique to improve the global water situation, particularly for island communities and the underdeveloped countries having ocean coasts."

He added: "There are other wave-energy systems out there, but most are too complicated, especially for people who may not be sophisticated enough to run them properly. That's what makes the MWP so exciting; it's not complicated at all."

Prof McCormick said: "If we start producing potable water from sea water, we'll not only improve life on these islands, but we may be able to bring water to irrigate desert regions on all continents that are currently uninhabitable."

He added: "Not only does the pump provide a steady supply of water to people who now must rely on rainfall, but it does it in a simple and cost-effective way."

"I'm not saying the McCabe Wave Pump is going to be the save-all, but it will surely have a positive effect on the lives of many."

Hydam Technology estimates the number of MWP units required in the near future will be between 20,000 to 30,000. According to estimates, the cost of purchasing the MWP will be €1.90 million.

Dr McCabe said that the MWP will be able to produce "potable water" at 50 cents per cubic metre compared to the $3.50 per cubic metre currently being paid in countries in the Middle East for desalinated water through fossil fuel methods.