The WATA device
What are the devices of the WATA range?
There are 4 different WATA devices for the production of sodium hypochlorite. Each device is aimed at a specific public and for a specific use. The 4 WATA devices are: the Mini-WATA, the WATA-Standard, the WATA-Plus, and the Maxi-WATA.
| DEVICE |
CAPACITY MINIMAL (L) |
REFFINED SALT (g) |
BRINE SATURATED (mL) |
PRODUCTION OF ACTIVE CHLORINE (g/h) |
TIME PRODUCTION |
| Mini-WATA | 0,5 | 12,5 | 40 | 1.25 | 2h |
| WATA-Standard | 2 | 50 | 160 | 5 | 2h |
| WATA-Plus | 15 | 375 | 1200 | 37.5 | 2h |
| Maxi-WATA | 60 | 1500 | 4800 | 150 | 2h |
What are the advantages of using WATA for local chlorine production?
| DEVICE | LOCAL CHLORINE PRODUCTION WITH WATA | OTHER CHLORINATION SOLUTIONS |
| PROCUREMENT TIME | None. Only 2 hours are needed for the production of chlorine | Up to several weeks. Products are often imported. |
| TRANSPORTATION | No logistics | Chlorine transportation restrictions to be managed. |
| AVAILABILITY | Immédiate | High risk of stock outs in case of emergency. |
What are the devices of the WATA range?
There are 4 different WATA devices for the production of sodium hypochlorite. Each device is aimed at a specific public and for a specific use. The 4 WATA devices are: the Mini-WATA, the WATA-Standard, the WATA-Plus, and the Maxi-WATA.
Mini-WATA
Minimal Capacity: 0,5 L
Reffined salt: 12,5 g
Saturated brine: 40 mL
Active chlorine production: 1,25 g/h
Production time: 2h
WATA-Standard
Minimal capacity: 2 L
Reffined salt: 50 g
Saturated brine: 160 mL
Active chlorine production: 5 g/h
Production time: 2h
WATA-Plus
Minimal Capacity: 15 L
Reffined salt: 375 g
Saturated brine: 1’200 mL
Active chlorine production: 37,5 g/h
Production time: 2h
Maxi-WATA
Minimal Capacity: 60 L
Reffined salt: 1’500 g
Saturated brine: 48’000 mL
Active chlorine production: 150 g/h
Production time: 2h
What are the advantages of using WATA for local chlorine production?
PROCUREMENT TIME
Local chlorine production with WATA: None Only 2 hours are needed for the production of chlorine.
Other chlorination solutions: Up to several weeks. Products are often imported.
TRANSPORTATION
Local chlorine production with WATA: No transportation.
Other chlorination solutions: Chlorine transportation restrictions to be managed.
AVAILABILITY
Local chlorine production with WATA: Immediate.
Other chlorination solutions: High risk of stock outs in case of emergency.
How much does it cost to produce one liter of chlorine with the WATA range?
What is the price of the WATA devices and where can I buy one?
To get a quote for the purchase of WATA devices, go to our Order section.
What is the warranty on the WATA product range?
All WATA devices are guaranteed for a period of 2 years.
What is the lifetime of the WATA devices?
If properly maintained, thea unit has a life span of 10 years. At a rate of one production per day.
What is the electrical power requirement/consumption of a WATA device?
The rated power of the WATA devices depends on which product is used:
- Mini-WATA : 10 W
- WATA-Standard : 36 W
- WATA-Plus : 216 W
- Maxi-WATA : 888 W
Which sources of electricity can be used to power the WATA devices?
Several electricity sources can be used depending on the chosen device: electricity grid, battery or solar module. We offer solar kits for the whole range with a mix of lithium and lead batteries depending on the type of WATA, transport and availability.
What is the impact of instability in the electricity grid on the WATA device?
Unstable current can cause a failure of the power supply. It is important to use a voltage controller when you observe current fluctuations or if power outages happen frequently on your production site.
What is the working principle of WATA devices?
The WATA technology is based on a simple electrolysis process that transforms a salt water solution into sodium hypochlorite.
What maintenance is required for a WATA device?
- The power supply should ideally be placed in a room next to the production room, otherwise as far away as possible from the production container in order to avoid the highly corrosive chlorine vapors. It should not be placed on the floor.
- The devices must always be immersed in the salt solution before they are connected to the power supply.
- The devices should be rinsed with clean water after each use.
How many litres of drinking water can be treated with a WATA device?
The usual dilution ratio is 1 for 5,000, meaning that 1 litre of sodium hypochlorite can treat 5,000 litres of water.
For the different WATA devices and considering a usual dilution, this represents:
- 2,500 liters for a production with the Mini-WATA
- 10,000 liters for a production with the WATA-Standard
- 75,000 liters for a production with the WATA-Plus
- 150,000 liters for a production with the Maxi-WATA.
What are the limits for the use of the WATATest and WATABlue reagents?
- WataTest Several reliability studies have been conducted on the WATATest reagent. It was determined that the reagent was reliable when measuring a concentration between 1 and 7 g/L with a precision of 0.5 g/L. The pH of the measured solution has to be below 11.4. This means that the WATATest reagent is not suitable to measure the active chlorine concentration of stabilized hypochlorite solutions (pH> > 11.9). In this case, the thiosulfate titration method has to be used.
- WataBlue There are no specific restrictions for the use of the WATABlue reagent.
What is the lifetime of the WATATest and WATABlue reagents?
- If appropriately stored, the WATATest can be used for up to 2 years after its production.
- The WATABlue reagent can be used up to 1 year following its production. Make sure to always check the expiry date written on the label of the products.
SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE
What is the “sodium hypochlorite solution” produced by the WATA devices?
Sodium hypochlorite is a non-corrosive chlorine derivative that is able to kill or to inactivate a large majority of living germs. This solution can be used for the chlorination of water. It is sometimes called “active chlorine solution” and its concentration is based on the number of grams of active chlorine per litre. The WATA devices produce a concentration of 5 grams of active chlorine in 1 litre of solution (5g/L).
What are the different possible uses of the chlorine solution produced with the WATA devices?
Water treatement in households
- Handwashing
- Floors, latrines, showers
- Vegetable washing
- Utensils,
- workbench.
Disinfection in healthcare facilities/hospitals
- Handwashing
- Disinfection of wounds (Dakin)
- Floors and latrines
- Clothes, bed linen
- Laboratory equipment.
Where:
- Households,
- communities,
- Water supply networks,
- wells,
- hospitals,
- health centres,
- jails,
- refugee camps,
- restaurants, etc…
A dilution calculation file is available in Downloads.
What should I do when the concentration of sodium hypochlorite produced by my WATA device is different from 5 g/l?
In such cases, you can simply adapt the dilution of the sodium hypochlorite solution for the desired use. There are dilution tables for water treatment and for disinfection. See “Downloads”.
Which precautions need to be taken for an optimal conservation of the sodium hypochlorite solution?
The sodium hypochlorite solution is unstable. It is therefore important to comply with the lifetime of the product and with strict storage conditions. The sodium hypochlorite produced with the WATA devices has to be conserved in an opaque, non‐metallic, clean, labelled and sealed recipient. The recipient has to be kept in a cool place, out of the reach of children. Do not expose it to the sun. How can the concentra
What is the lifetime of the non‐stabilized sodium hypochlorite solution?
The sodium hypochlorite solution produced with the WATA devices has to be used within 24 hours following its production.
For a longer conservation period (3 months), the solution needs to be stabilized with the WataStab reagent. Order WataStab.
How can the concentration of the sodium hypochlorite solution produced by a WATA device be tested?
It is necessary to check the concentration of the sodium hypochlorite solution after each production. For this purpose, use the WATATest reagent furnished with every WATA kit.
What is the “chlorination of water with sodium hypochlorite”?
It consists of adding a dose of chlorine to potentially contaminated water in order to destroy all pathogenic germs. The dose to be added depends on the initial quality of the water and on the concentration of the sodium hypochlorite solution. See dilution tables in the Downlads .
After having added the chlorine, wait 30 minutes to allow time for the chlorine to act. The water can then be tested with the WataBlue reagent to measure the presence of residual chlorine.
Note that it is essential to chlorinate only clear water. If the water to be treated is clouded or coloured, it is necessary to clarify it before chlorination by filtration, sedimentation or flocculation.
What is residual chlorine and why is it important?
The residual chlorine is the chlorine concentration after the treatment of drinking water (minimum contact time: 30 minutes). A concentration of residual chlorine between 0.5 and 1 mg/L indicates that the bacteria have been correctly killed or inactivated.
Moreover, the residual chlorine in the drinking water provides a protection against new contaminations of the water by pathogenic microorganisms. It is important for the chlorination of drinking water to be done under the supervision of a qualified person. To test the residual chlorine level, WATALUX distributes a simple and cheap reagent: the WataBlue
Order WataBlue.
What is the efficiency of the chlorination of drinking water?
Chlorine efficiently destroys almost all pathogenic germs. It helps fight against diarrhea, dysenteries, cholera, typhoid fever, salmonella and hepatitis A. It is inefficient against protozoan cysts and against some kinds of parasitic worms (helminths).
Why do chlorates need to be avoided?
At high dosages, chlorates are potentially dangerous for health. During production with WATA devices, the quantity of chlorates that is produced is significantly below the WHO standards (200 times below the WHO standards after water chlorination).
What type of water can be treated with the sodium hypochlorite solution produced by the WATA devices?
It is important to only chlorinate water of sufficient quality:
- The water to be treated has to be clear (not turbid, maximum turbidity index of 5 NTU). In case of muddy, clouded or coloured water, the water needs to be filtrated or decanted. Please refer to Chapter 4 Water Quality – in the users guide.
- The pH of the water must be between 6.5 and 8.5.
Is chlorination effective for neutralizing against heavy metals and against other chemical pollutants of water?
How could I eliminate the taste of chlorine in my drinking water?
There are several products that can neutralize chlorine taste in drinking water. You can use for instance lime/lemon juice or sodium thiosulfate.
Warning: If you use such a product, the treated water will not contain residual chlorine and will not be protected from future contamination. It is therefore absolutely necessary to wait until the last moment before treating water with such products.
Can the produced sodium hypochlorite by WATA be used as Dakin solution?
Disinfection is a process during which pathogenic germs are eliminated. It is used to stop or to prevent an infection of the water by microorganisms. Disinfection can be used for the cleaning of various tools, sensitive rooms and surfaces (e.g. latrines), vegetables, or for washing hands or clothes, etc… (See dilution tables for disinfection).
CAUTION: Disinfection with sodium hypochlorite is NOT sterilization and cannot be used, for example, to sterilize surgical tools.
Can the produced sodium hypochlorite by WATA be used as Dakin solution?
Based on a study conducted by Antenna Technologies, the concentrated active chlorine solution produced using the WATA devices can be used as Dakin solution. The hypochlorite solution can simply be used without dilution, by applying it with a clean compress to the wound to be disinfected.
Can the concentrated active chlorine solution be used for the sterilization of surgical material?
No, not under any circumstance.
What is the difference between bleach and the solution produced by the WATA devices?
The sodium hypochlorite solution produced by WATA is less corrosive than bleach. Bleach has a concentration of active chlorine six times higher and has a pH of around 11‐13; this makes it more corrosive than the sodium hypochlorite produced by WATA.
Bleach cannot be used as a Dakin solution, unlike the solution produced by WATA.
The sodium hypochlorite solution produced is less stable than bleach although stabilisation procedures are available for WATA solutions with the WataStab.
Order WataStab here.
Is it possible to use the sodium hypochlorite solution directly after stabilization?
Yes.
Why is stabilized chlorine not used for wound disinfection?
The stabilized chlorine solution has a high pH, which makes it irritating to the skin.
What should be done with unused sodium hypochlorite solution?
Before starting production, it is important to correctly size the production to avoid producing excess hypochlorate. If a surplus of solution cannot be avoided, it is recommended to stabilize the surplus solution with WataStab for later use.
THE RISKS
Are there risks linked to the use of devices in the WATA product range?
The WATA devices are powered by electrical current. The power sources have to be handled with the usual caution. All the devices work at low voltage, reducing the risks of electrocution.
The combination of the produced gas (chlorine and hydrogen) can be explosive at high concentrations. When using small devices or a small number of large devices, the risk is low. For larger production infrastructures or for production units of bottled chlorine, adapted ventilation of the production room is needed.
How do I dispose of the sodium hypochlorite solution?
Due to its high oxidizing and antibacterial properties, sodium hypochlorite severely damages microorganisms and aquatic flora. Before throwing it away, it is important to neutralize the active chlorine with a dechlorination reagent, such as sodium thiosulfate, sodium sulfite or sodium metabisulfite. After dechlorination, the solution can be poured down the drains, following the instructions of the local authorities.