Answers

After doing some research and trading some emails with Peter C. from thewaterproject.org I have a few answers.

1. The location is still to be finalized but will be approximately 100 - 150km from Machakos, Kenya which is 35km east of Nairobi so I will be using climate data info for Nairobi in my research.
2. Minimum amount of water according to the UN is 20L/day/person.

Questions I need to answer

1. Which location? - This will determine rainfall and amount of water required/day/person.
2. How will rainwater be collected?
3. How will the water be purified for drinking?
4. Will the residents be able to build and maintain their own system?
5. How many days worth of clean water should be stored?
6. How can future contamination be avoided? (Thanks Justine)

This is going to be a running set of questions that I'll add to as I come up with more. Feel free to leave comments and/or suggestions of more questions I can add.

Planning outline - revised

Project:
Sustainable drinking water solutions for developing nations.

Method:
Determine best/most efficient purifying method.
- Research different types of purification.
- Cost-benefit of each.

Calculate power required (if any) for purifiers, pumps, etc.
-Manufactures' data sheets.

Calculate ways to maintain power level.
-Solar, wind, hydro, etc.

Number of homes/people in one area can use a single water purifier.
-Define flow/purify rate.
-Define average use.
-Determine storage size based on use.

Determine climate data (hours of sunlight, rainfall, etc.)
-Weather.com/BBC Weather Centre for most recent/accurate data.

Additional hardware - What's required and costs.
-Batteries for power storage, pipes, pumps, etc.

Final cost-benefit analysis.
-Would enough people be able to benefit to justify the cost?

Also:
Specific project must be defined (specific equipment, location).

Special problems:
Who will perform maintenance if required?
Can the residents construct it?
Will items have to be shipped (added cost) or can they be found locally?




Planning outline


Project:
Completely sustainable homes in rural developing countries including clean water and power.

Method:
Determine the best/most efficient purifying method
-Research different types of purification
-Cost/benefit of each

Calculate power required for electric water pump (if needed) and purifier.
-Manufacture's data sheets for high efficient purifiers.

Calculate how many photovoltaic cells required to maintain power level.
-Manufacture's data sheets.
-General photovoltaic information

Hom many homes/people in one area can use a single water purifier?
-Define the flow rate through a purifier.
-Define average use.
-Determine storage size based on use.

Determine climate data (hours of sunlight/rainfall).
-Weather.com/BBC Weather Centre for most recent data.

Additioinal hardware - Waht's required and costs.
-Batteries, etc.

Final cost/benefit analysis.
-Would enough people be able to benefit to justify the cost?

Also:
Specific equipment (purifiers, photovoltaic cells, etc.) must be defined.
Specific location must be defined.

Special problems:
Where will the cells be purchased? Will they have to be shipped? (added cost)
Who will perform maintenance if any required?
Can the people who will live in the building construct it?

Welcome to my blog about sustainable housing in rural developing countries. Through my research I plan on finding better ways to provide sustainable clean drinking water to developing nations.