The huge drainage network in Accra (Ghana) is in bad shape due to interruptions and blockages. This causes fatal floods with millions of euros in damage every year.
There is a lot of waste in the drains, resulting in stagnant polluted water. This entails health risks.
Renovation is traditionally done with concrete gutters. Concrete has a high CO2 footprint and is expensive, making renovation of the entire system prohibitively expensive.
Only small parts are tackled, skipping the most flood-prone areas with the most vulnerable people. The DrainUpGrader is an attachment for an excavator that makes a circular drainage gutter of compressed soil 10x cheaper and 20x faster.
We have entered Phase 2 of developing the DrainUpGrader: the Research & Development phase. The following is planned for Phase 2:
Developing the Driving Mould
Integration of key components
Recipe research
Field test with prototype in Accra
Developing and implementation of business plan
Technical documentation and manual
Each step will involve a circularity check:
Only use of primary resources from recycled sources.
Reuse components or recycle materials after product use.
Longer life span of products (by reuse and/or redistribution).
More intensive use of products.
