Velero Reginavideo
Purifying water in Trinidad despite the large amount of sediment
27 June 2025 · 7 min · 1K views · Chacachacare Island
What this video covers
Javi, aboard the sailboat Regina, operates a watermaker while anchored at Chacachacare, Trinidad, to address the challenge of producing potable water from highly sedimented coastal waters.▶ 0:04 The vessel is positioned approximately six miles from Chaguaramas, where the Orinoco River delta deposits significant silt into the bay.▶ 1:08 The watermaker produces between 25 and 30 liters of fresh water per hour.▶ 3:39 To manage the high sediment load, the system utilizes a two-stage filtration process: a reusable 30-micron pre-filter for large particles and a replaceable 5-micron filter.▶ 4:15 While the 5-micron filter typically lasts six months in cleaner water, the heavy sediment in Trinidad necessitates replacement every one to two months.▶ 4:59 The system also employs a vane pump, which the crew expects will experience a reduced service life of less than 150 hours due to the abrasive nature of the water.▶ 5:40 Despite the increased maintenance frequency and cost of filters, the system remains essential for sustaining the crew's water supply while anchored in the region.
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