A GOLD Coast-based company's new water technology is saving lives in developing countries.

Water Engineers Australia and its associate company, Anode Technology, have been making electrochlorination equipment and coated titanium anodes for more than 18 years.

Their products are now being recognised on the world stage with help through the Australian Government's R & D Tax Concession.

Water Engineers Australia, which has associate offices and agents in Australia and overseas, has started building a Middle Eastern factory in Iran.

"Our products have been very successful, but as anyone knows, technology must keep moving. If it were not for the R & D Tax Concession, it would be almost impossible to keep up. ," says chief executive officer Ken Varcoe.

"Without our work of manufacturing electrochlorination units in India, many more thousands of people would die from infected water-related problems. "

The company is set to launch a new world-patented product, WP1 (World Product No.1), in the next six months.

The result of extensive research and development, WP1 is a small, solar-powered, low-cost drinking water disinfection unit that will greatly benefit countries such
as India.

"It will help reduce thousands of deaths that occur in India and developing nations each year as people drink contaminated water from the millions of wells - especially in the typhoon season, when they contract diphtheria," says Mr Varcoe.

"Water Engineers Australia has manufactured a wide range of Oximax Electrochlorination equipment for more than 18 years and we have thousands of machines treating water in all parts of the globe - from power stations to resort pools, here in Australia, but more importantly, most of the resort swimming pools in Dubai. Anyone who has been to Dubai understands how significant that is.

"Our aim is to keep developing world-leading new technology. Without our R & D assistance, we would find it financially impossible to keep abreast and to be able to help, in particular, third-world countries," he says.