Prof. Sirshendu De, head of the chemical engineering department of the IIT, Kharagpur, has bagged the Innovation Award 2016 given by the Indian Desalination Association (South Zone) for developing an ultra low-cost eco-friendly laterite based arsenic water filter. IIT sources said the cost-effective filter will provide safe drinking water in areas contaminated with arsenic.<br/><br/>The indigenous filter, made from naturally occurring red laterite soil, developed by Prof. De is capable of adsorbing arsenic to the extent of 32 mg per gram. Prof. De said that this material has undergone chemical treatment to enhance its capabilities to adsorb arsenic. An optimized design of the new filter, enjoys a plethora of other advantages enriching the quality of the potable water.