1. Design and Implementation of the KanchanTM Arsenic Filter
in the Nepal Terai
The World Bank
Brown Bag Lunch
October 19, 2004
Susan Murcott
Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

2. 20th century Western engineering design was comparatively simple
Technical Criteria
Economic/Financial Criteria (Cost-Benefit Analysis)
Technical
Financial

3. Environmental Awareness Added another Dimension
Technical
Economic/Financial Criteria (Cost-Benefit Analysis)
Environmental
Technical
Financial
Environmental

4. Balance: economic, social, environmental aspects
“Sustainable development” has 2 widely accepted meanings:
Balance: economic, social, environmental aspects
Similarly, sustainability is quite often defined in terms of diagrams or metaphors.
These images attmept to convey the “social”, “economic”, and “environmental” aspects of sustainability and suggest that we should consider all three aspects when working on a project or activity.
They should not be interepreted too deeply as they really only suggest the issues that we should consider when making decisions or carrying out activities.
They do not tell us how to achieve sustainability and sometimes can be misleading as they suggest that each of the 3 systems can be equated, which is far from reality.
Equity…”meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Our Common Future, 1987

5. “Engineering design for sustainable development” framework
Financial /Economic
* Low cost
* Supports local economies
* Self-sustaining
Technical
Water quality evaluations
WHO Guidelines
National Standards
Flow rate
Use local materials
Social
Socially acceptable
Simple/user friendly
Convenient
Durable
Similarly, sustainability is quite often defined in terms of diagrams or metaphors.
These images attmept to convey the “social”, “economic”, and “environmental” aspects of sustainability and suggest that we should consider all three aspects when working on a project or activity.
They should not be interepreted too deeply as they really only suggest the issues that we should consider when making decisions or carrying out activities.
They do not tell us how to achieve sustainability and sometimes can be misleading as they suggest that each of the 3 systems can be equated, which is far from reality.

6. The Design Process (text book version)
Information Gathering
Problem Definition
Idea Generation
Concept Evaluation
Lab Research, Experimentation & Analysis
Detail Design
Fabrication
Testing & Evaluation (Lab and Field)

7. Co-Designing/Co-evolving for Development (an iterative process)
1. Problem Awareness Co(m)-passion, and Partnership
10. Reiteration
9 Scale-up
8. Implementation
2. Problem Co-Definition
Co-designing/ co-evolving
equitable and sustainable development
3. Idea Co-Generation
7. Pilot studies
6. Refined Design (Field and lab testing, multiple sites, multiple countries)
4. Concept Co-Evaluation
5. Field Experience, Fabrication, Experiment, Lab Work, Analysis

8. 1. Problem Awareness, Co(m)-passion, Partnership

9. Problem Awarensss Where is Nepal?

10. Where is Arsenic in Nepal?
(NASC and ENPHO, 2004)

11. Field Project Sites Kathmandu Kapilvastu District Rupandehi District
Nawalparasi District
Parsa & Bara Districts
Rautahat District

12. Passion
Co(m)-passion

13. Partnership
Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Support Programme (RWSSSP)
Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO)

14. 2. Problem Co-Definition

15. Problem Co-Definition
Our proposal is to design a household drinking water treatment unit to remove arsenic and pathogens;
Technical Performance: Remove arsenic, bacteria and parasites to National Standards or WHO Guidelines;
Water Quantity: The flow rate should be > 10 L/hour;
Cost: The cost/unit should be < $30. Yearly replacement parts <$2, designed for use by individuals in rural areas and urban slums who earn <$2/day;
Manufacturing: To be produced by local people, using locally available materials, creating local jobs;
Socially acceptable: ease of use and maintainence by women

16. Problem Co-Definition Arsenic Technology Database
Gather information for 50+ technologies:
Arsenic removal mechanisms (physical, chemical, etc)
Technical performance
Construction, operation and maintenance
Cost
Flow rate
Strengths, weakness, limitations

17. Idea Co-Generation 8 Arsenic Removal Technologies
(1) 3 Kolshi (in Nepali = 3 Gagri with zero valent iron filings);
(2) Iron filings in jerry can;
(3) Coagulation/Filtration (2-Kolshi based on Chakraborti’s arsenic removal system);
(4) Iron oxide coated sand;
(5) Activated alumina metal oxide #1 (Apyron Inc.);
(6) Activated alumina metal oxide #2 (Aquatic Treatment Systems Inc.);
(7) Arsenic treatment plant;
(8) Arsenic Biosand Filter

18. Three-Kolshi (Gagri) System
Raw water
Iron filings
Fine sand
Filtered water

19. Jerry Can 1. Fill 10 L plastic jug with raw water. 2. Add iron filings
Wait 3 hours
4. Decant treated water

20. Coagulation/Filtration (2-Kolshi)
Chemical packet
Treated Water
Raw Water
Mixing & Settling
Filtration

21. Iron Oxide Coated Sand (IOCS)
Raw Water
Sand and gravel
Iron Oxide Coated Sand (IOCS)
Treated Water

22. Activated Alumina Metal Oxide #1 (Apyron Aqua-Bind Media)
Raw Water
GAC
Sand
Activated Alumina
Influent
Effluent
Treated Water

23. Alumina Manganese Oxide (A/M)
Activated Alumina Metal Oxide #2
(Aquatic Treatment Systems, Inc.)
Raw Water
Alumina Manganese Oxide (A/M)
Treated Water

24. Arsenic Treatment Plants (ATPs)
Aeration Chamber
Sand Filter
Storage
Treated Water

25. KanchanTM Arsenic Filter (KAF)

26. Field Experience, Fabrication, Experiment, Lab
Engagement with:
local people and partners,
local environment
the problem and solutions

27. Stages 5-8 in Arsenic Mitigation
Field Experience,
Fabrication,
Experiment,
Lab Work , Analysis
Refined Design
Pilot Studies (Phase I)
Pilot Studies (Phase II)
Implementation

28. Refined Design Phase I Evaluation

29. Phase I Evaluation Technical Performance: Social: Financial:
Preliminary screening of technologies in database/ website.
Select 8 technologies to be field tested against following criteria:
Technical Performance:
Meet National (50 ug/L) or WHO guidelines (ug/L)) for arsenic and microbial removal Flow rate > 10 L/hour
Social:
Customer satisfaction, specifically among women who are typically the managers of household water.
Financial:
Affordable to people earning $1/day

30. Phase I Evaluation Summary
Recommend for Phase II?
Cost
Social
Technical
Technology
3-Kolshi
Jerry Can
Iron Coated Sand
Alumina #1
Alumina #2
2-Kolshi
Treatment Plants
KAF

31. Pilot Studies Phase II Evaluation

32. Phase II Pilot Studies of 3 Technologies
3 Kolshi
Coagulation/ filtration System (2-Kolshi)
KanshanTM
Arsenic Filter (KAF)

33. Phase II Evaluation Summary
3-Kolshi
2-Kolshi
AKF
Arsenic removal
95-99%
80-90%
90-95%
Iron removal
Not tested
Not tested
93-99%
Flow rate
3-5L/hr
1-5L/hr
10-30L/hr
Materials availability
Easy construction
Simple O&M
Long-term sustainability
User acceptance
Low initial cost
Low running cost
Overall Ranking
2nd
3rd
Best
= poor
= moderate
= good

34. KAF Pilot Study Results (n=16)
Technical Indicators
Average Results
Arsenic Removal
93 %
Total Coliform Removal
58 %
E. Coli Removal
64 %
Iron Removal
Flow Rate
14 L/hr

35. KanshanTM Arsenic Filter (AKF)
Stages 5-8
KanshanTM Arsenic Filter (AKF)

36. KanchanTM Arsenic Filter
Developed in Nepal and at MIT based on improvement of slow sand filter
Intended for arsenic and bacteria removal
Constructed with easily available local materials
Manufactured by trained local technicians
Adequate flow rate for a large family (15L/hr)
No chemical additives
No replacement parts except iron nails
Easy to operate and clean

37. KanshanTM Arsenic Filter Cross Section
Diffuser Basin
Lid
Gravel
Coarse Sand
Water
Fine Sand
Iron Nails
Brick chips
Container
Pipe

38. Filter Operation
Pour water into top basin. Water will pass through filter and flow up the pipe
2. Collect filtered water at the pipe outlet
3. If flow rate is insufficient, then cleaning is required

39. Filter Cleaning/ Maintenance
Wash your hands with soap
Remove diffuser basin
Stir the uppermost ½ inch of sand with your fingers

40. Filter Cleaning/ Maintenance
Remove turbid water with a cup.
Replace the basin and add more water.
Repeat this process three times total
Discard the turbid water in a dug hole with some cow dung in it
Now the filter can be used again

41. Further Work – Refined Design
Concrete Square
(2002)
Concrete Round
(2003)
Plastic Hilltake (2003)
Plastic Gem505
(2004)

42. Technical Performance
Currently more than 1000 filters are in operation by Jan.05
More than 500 were sold by NRCS, about 100 by Fund Board, about 450 by RWSSSP
Filters were sold starting from September 2002 until today
We have monitored 800+ filters between February to May 2004 on arsenic and iron removal
The average time between filter installation date and filter monitoring date is 93 days

43. KAF Blanket Monitoring
Arsenic Removal (n=644)
0 to 10
11 to 50
51 to 100
101 to 250
250 +
Influent Arsenic Concentration (ppb)
Effluent Arsenic Concentration (ppb)

44. KAF Blanket Monitoring
Arsenic Removal (n=644)
Unacceptable
Acceptable
Figure indicates number of filters

45. Filter Performance: Arsenic (n=650)

46. 1.5 Years Arsenic Monitoring on Filter A (Nim Narayan Chaudhary)10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
100
Oct-02
Nov-02
Dec-02
Jan-03
Feb-03
Mar-03
Apr-03
May-03
Jun-03
Jul-03
Aug-03
Sep-03
Oct-03
Nov-03
Dec-03
Jan-04
Feb-04
Mar-04
Apr-04
Time
Arsenic Concentration (ppb)
Raw Water
Treated Water

47. 1.5 Years Arsenic Monitoring on Filter B
(Lila Bdr. Pun) 50
100
150
200
250
300
Oct-02
Nov-02
Dec-02
Jan-03
Feb-03
Mar-03
Apr-03
May-03
Jun-03
Jul-03
Aug-03
Sep-03
Oct-03
Nov-03
Dec-03
Jan-04
Feb-04
Mar-04
Apr-04
Time
Arsenic Concentration (ppb)
Raw Water
Treated Water

48. 1.5 Year Arsenic Monitoring on Filter C (Bhanu Primary School)

49. Insufficient flow
Ideal flow
Performance compromised

50. Filter Cost (Gem505) $15.73 Total Per Unit Cost Note:
$0.74
$0.34
$0.41
$0.27
$4.79
$0.04
$1.82
$1.03
$5.55
Gem505 ($US)
Transportation of container & piping
Tools
Documentation
Transportation of sand & gravel
Labour
Iron Nails 5 kg
Total Per Unit Cost
Sand & Gravel
Piping System
Basin
Container and Lid
Note:
No replacement parts needed except iron nails (nails can last at least 1.5 years)
Assume exchange rate of US$1 = 73 Nepali Rupees

51. Implementation and Scale-up

52. Implementation – World Bank Project
Funding Source:
Won a US$115,000 award from the World Bank Development Marketplace Global Competition 2003
Project Objective:
To sustainably promote the AKF as an appropriate arsenic mitigation option throughout Nepal
Project Duration:
February 2004 to January 2005
Project Partners:
MIT, ENPHO, RWSSSP

53. World Bank Project - Key Activities
Train local entrepreneurs from 10 arsenic-affected districts as “local KAF agents” on KAF construction, troubleshooting, water testing
Establish an in-country KAF reference center at ENPHO to compile all ABF related information
3. Conduct workshops to 30 local governments bodies and 150 villages on health, water management, treatment options, and KAF information

54. World Bank Project - Key Activities
4. Monitor all filters that are in operation filters will be in operation by Dec 2004.
6. Evaluate overall project implementation scheme and make recommendations to scale-up project
5. Research & develop better filter design based on lab experiment, field observations and feedbacks from users

55. Is this Project:
Appropriate?
Green?
Sustainable?
Co(m)-passionate?

56. Design Principles for Appropriate Technology (E. F
Design Principles for Appropriate Technology (E.F. Schumacher: Small is Beautiful, 1973)
1. Simple design & production Yes!
2. Inexpensive Yes!
3. Use local materials for local use Yes!
4. Rural focus Yes!

57. Green?
Safe drinking water, but we have not yet had to set up a mechanism to collect or store spent absorbent media (iron nails)

58. Sustainable Implementation?
We select and train entrepreneurs whose businesses are easily accessible locations
We provide detailed information to villagers such that they can make individual informed decision to protect their health
We strengthen the capacity of existing local authorities to support safe water initiatives, rather than relying on remote central authority
We use existing and functioning distribution networks and infrastructure; therefore reducing risk of failure and negative impacts

59. Entrepreneurs’ Financial Sustainability?
Financially sustainable:
Margin per unit X unit sales > Fixed cost
Example: About $5.00/unit X 100 units = $500 > Fixed Cost
In our case:
Fixed cost is minimal because the entrepreneurs are well- established organizations with their own financial support for their premises and staff.
Temporary staff can be hired to construct filters based on demand

60. Co(m)-passionate Technology?
Filter designed in local environment with local partners
Filter designed based on collaborative, iterative, multi-disciplinary approach inherent in sustainable development concept
Filter designed within social and economic constraints of rural Nepal
Manufactured by local labor using materials available in rural Nepal
Easy operation and maintenance
Filtered water tastes and looks significantly better than untreated water (according to many users) so users like it and are continuing to use it

61. Future Plans and Challenges
How to scale-up from 2,000 units (2004) to reach 0.7M in Nepal?
Increase villagers’ awareness of health and water, targeting the poorest, the least educated, and in remote western areas.
Address collection and disposal of spent media
Continue to subsidize filters for the poorest villagers
Provide entrepreneurs refresher training & certification
Continue research on bacteria, viruses, protozoa removal
Influence government and policy-makers

62. For Further Information
Susan Murcott,
Lecturer and Principal Investigator
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Tommy Ngai,
Lecturer and Research Affiliate
Roshan Shrestha,
Chairperson
Environment & Public Health Organization
Sophie Walejick
Website:

63. Women who carry the water
Acknowledgements
In Nepal:
Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO), Kathmandu
Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Support Programme (RWSSSP), Butwal
Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS)
Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Fund Development Board (RWSSFDB)
Department of Education (DOE)
Department of Water Supply & Sewerage (DWSS)
Kathmandu University
Tribhuvan University
Internationally:
MIT Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Master of Engineering Program
MIT IDEAS Competition and Lemelson Foundation
The World Bank
UNICEF
Stanford University
University of Calgary, Canada
University of Texas at Dallas
Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS)
Women who carry the water
Thank You