Household water treatment solution Ceramic Water Filter Household water treatment solution

Contents Overview – Introduction Overview - Scope Overview - Different Solutions Suitability of Ceramic Filter Ceramic Filter Design Specifications and Comparison Advantages Disadvantages Conclusion References

Overview - Introduction Safe drinking water is not available to one in five people Water related diseases kills a child in every 15 seconds Some women and young children and walk up to six miles a day in order to store water for their families Microbial contamination is a widespread and the most common health risk linked with drinking water (WHO, 2004). In several parts of the world, certain chemicals, including nitrate, fluoride and arsenic, is producing serious health effects from excessive contact through drinking water, e.g., an estimation of 160 million people are affected by arsenic contamination globally (WHO, 2008). In Bangladesh, arsenic contamination is exposed by approx. 30 – 40 million people, with an estimated 2.5 million people developing some form of arsenicosis symptom in their lifetime and over the next 50 years arsenic induced cancer is killing over 320,000 people (World Bank, 2005). Women carrying water drums

Overview - Scope Studies have shown that safe storage interventions and household water treatment reduce diarrheal disease incidence and improve water quality. Five of these proven options; ceramic filtration, solar disinfection, slow sand filtration, chlorination, and flocculation/disinfection are widely implemented. The decision of choosing a suitable option is often hard, depending on existing water and sanitation conditions, availability of technology, implementation feasibility, cultural acceptability and other local conditions.

Overview - Different Solutions Ceramic filter Ceramic Filters: Pours in ceramic pots, disks and candles cause filtration of water. Solar Disinfection: Pasteurization causes disinfection when left in the sun for over six hours. Boiling Water: Microbes are disinfected by heat. Flocculent: The precipitation of minerals are caused by chemicals so that they remove bacteria and clump together Bio-Sand Filter: A biological layer trap and sand feeds off of contaminants and microorganisms, usually for household use Solar disinfection Boiling water Flocculent disinfectant Bio-sand filter

Suitability of Ceramic Filter Ceramic water filter is an exceptionally inexpensive and effective solution in providing safe drinking water in a nation that is in great need of just such a systematic solution.  This water filter solution is exclusively suited, both practically and culturally, for use in countries where water-borne diseases are the main factor in life expectancy, infant mortality and overall quality of life.  A factory of this water filter can be built as a sustainable source of highly effective water filters, as well as employment, into the predictable future.

Ceramic Filter Currently, the Potters for Peace design is the most broadly implemented ceramic filter. The flowerpot shaped filter holds about 8-10 liters of water and sits inside a ceramic or plastic receptacle. To use the ceramic filters, families fill the ceramic filter or the top receptacle itself with water, which flows via ceramic filter or filters into a storage receptacle.

Design The design of ceramic pot filters is simple. The whole filter, basically, comprises of four parts. The most important part of the filter is the ceramic pot that includes the filtering element. There is a receptacle tank (mostly a plastic bucket) and the filter fits inside of it. There is a lid to shelter the filter and keep out contamination and dirt, and there is a spigot connected at the base of the receptacle through which filtered water is available for use.

Specifications and Comparison

Advantages Reduces protozoa and bacteria in water Simple to accept and use Reduces diarrheal disease incidence for consumers Long life if the filter residues unbroken One time low cost E. coli bacteria

Disadvantages Effectiveness against viruses is low Can lead to recontamination because of No residual protection Spare parts are needed because filters can break over time Flow rate for non-turbid waters is low, i.e. 1-3 liters per hour Receptacles and Filters must be cleaned frequently, specifically after filtering turbid water Hepatitis A Virus

Conclusion Ceramic filtration is most suitable in areas where there is capacity for quality ceramics filter manufacturing, a distribution system for replacement of broken portions, and consumer training on how to correctly use and maintain the filter. The effectiveness of ceramic filters at eliminating protozoa, viruses and bacteria depends on the manufacturing quality of the ceramic filter. As compared to other water treatment solutions, ceramic filter require a low cost one time, highly acceptable and effective.

References http://www.marlerblog.com/E_coli_lge.jpg http://puritech.co.za/images/Ceramic%20Filter.gif http://www.drinking-water.org/assets/181x/00000295.jpg http://ttt.astro.su.se/~magnusg/large/Boiling_water.jpg http://www.dahlias.net/dahwebpg/Soil/ImgSoil/AlumSulf25.JPG http://www.acrest.org/admin//public/img/biosand-filter03.jpg WHO, 2004. Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality. Vol. 1. 3rd Edition. Geneva. WHO, 2008. Arsenic Contamination in the World: An International Sourcebook. Forthcoming Publication. World Bank, 2005. Towards a More Effective Operational Response – Arsenic Contamination of Groundwater in South and East Asian Countries. Vol. 1. Policy Report. Washington.