India’s capital city has had its first solar-powered water treatment plant installed.

Operated by Social Awareness, Newer Alternatives (SANA), a non-governmental organisation, the facility which cost around $45,000 (£28,000) has been installed at a Government school in New Delhi to help under-privileged students.

Reports claim the pilot plant is expected to produce 5,000 litres of drinking water everyday converting contaminated water which would otherwise go to waste. It will also help offset carbon emissions as the water would otherwise be treated through the use of fossil fuels such as coal.

Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister of Delhi who inaugurated the facility said: “Waste water from nearby areas will be treated to meet World Health Organization standards using solar powered panels and micro-ionising water purification processes. Over 750 school children from economically backward homes have been identified and they will each be given five litres of potable water daily for their families.”