Melody Tanton

Australian inventor who developed low-cost water purification systems for developing nations

Melody Tanton is an Australian engineer whose affordable water filtration technology has transformed access to clean water in over 30 countries. Born in 1990 in Perth, she witnessed water scarcity during her travels in sub-Saharan Africa while studying environmental engineering at the University of Adelaide. In 2015, she launched Pure Water Innovations, a nonprofit dedicated to creating scalable water solutions.

Tanton's breakthrough was the 'Solar Still Kit,' a portable water purification system costing just $25 that uses solar energy to disinfect contaminated water. The device has been deployed in drought-stricken regions of Kenya, Pakistan, and Haiti, providing clean water to over 500,000 people by 2019. Her team's work with ceramic filtration technology also reduced waterborne disease rates by 60% in pilot communities.

Her innovations received global recognition through the UN Water Prize in 2018. Tanton's approach emphasizes local manufacturing partnerships, ensuring sustainability and economic empowerment. By focusing on community training rather than charity handouts, her systems have created over 1,200 micro-enterprises in developing regions. This Australian innovator's work proves that grassroots engineering can be both cost-effective and life-saving on a global scale.