MIT scientists have developed an inexpensive, solar-powered water treatment system for rural Indian villages, which lack affordable potable water and electricity. The researchers have designed, built and tested their prototype system, and their next step is to implement it in a village outside of Hyderabad. For the water treatment system, Assistant Professor Amos Winter, and PhD candidate Natasha Wright first tried to develop an in-depth understanding of the problem by talking directly to the residents themselves.