The document summarizes information about biosand water filters, which are a low-cost method to purify water for rural communities that lack access to clean water. Biosand filters can remove up to 98% of contaminants like bacteria and parasites from water using only natural processes. They are an affordable alternative to commercial water filters, costing around $60 compared to $1,000 for other options. Biosand filters provide a sustainable way to improve water quality and safety in isolated areas with high rates of waterborne illness and death.

1. Water purification
in rural communities

2. according to the World
Health Organization
(WHO) more than 700
million people worldwide
have lack of access to
permanent sources of
potable water
Photos: Fundamor

3. Mostly these people live in poor urban areas and fields,
in developing countries and consuming untreated water
Photos: Fundamor

4. They take water from the rivers, lakes or rain and keep
it in inadequate storage and drink it without treatment
Photos: Fundamor

5. Rain water harvesting and inadequate storage
Photos: Fundamor

6. unsafe water causes the death of
2.5 million people worldwide
each year

7. 95 % these deaths occur in poor
communities
90 % of these deaths hit vulnerable
population such as children and old people
99 % of these deaths can be avoided
Photos: Ensil Gómez / Fundamor / South Asia Pure Water Initiative Inc.

8. Biosand filter

9. The Biosand filter was developed in
Calgary Univertity (Canada) in 90’s and
had supplied clean water to millons of
people

10. economic
filtered 98 %
solids sucessfull
Biosand
filter
advantages
resistant
Low
and maintenance
durable

11. biosand
filter
removes
pathogens
and
turbidity
Ganesh Harijan, Nepal
Photo: Dr. Tommy Ngai (Cawst)

12. Limitations

13. The filter not remove dissolved compounds
(salts, fluoride, arsenic)
Although it has a low price many people can not
buy it (about U.S. $ 60.00)
Should work three weeks before it is fully
effective

14. Design and Accessories

15. Biosand filter
tight lid (wood, plastic, etc.)
perforated diffuser plate
pipe for potable water outlet
Schmutzdecke (dirt blanket)
fine sand
separation gravel
drainage gravel
collector container (with lid)
Fuente: CAWST, Canadá

16. Biosand filter
spacer mesh
Fuente: Inagor, Colombia

17. operation

18. Biosand filter
poured a bucket of water rich
in oxygen. (even cloudy)
Fuente: CAWST, Canadá

19. Biosand filter
water flows through the
perforated diffuser plate and
combined with the supernatant
water layer is biological and
with less oxygen and nutrients
Fuente: CAWST, Canadá

20. Biosand filter
water enters into the sand
area with low gravity
Fuente: CAWST, Canadá

21. Biosand filter
large sediment and pathogens
are trapped in the sand
Fuente: CAWST, Canadá

22. Biosand filter
microorganisms die from
lack of nutrients and oxygen
Fuente: CAWST, Canadá

23. Biosand filter
filtered water exits the tube
and falls to the collector
container keeping the lid
Fuente: CAWST, Canadá

24. Commercial filter
Fuente: CAWST, Canadá

25. Commercial filter
Fuente: CAWST, Canadá

26. Comparison
Commercial filter Biosand filter
US$ 1.000,00 x x x US$ 60, 00 √ √
need energy x No energy √
efectivity 99% √ √ √ efectivity 98% √ √ √
800 lts/h √ √ √ 60 lts/d √
Fuente: CAWST, Canadá

27. Biosand filter
Photos: CAWST / Aqua Clara International

28. Conclusions

29. gastrointestinal diseases caused by unsafe water
consumption can be avoided almost entirely
It is possible to improve the quality of water consumed by
households in isolated, rural and remote communities
water disinfection requires relatively little investment in
the demand and costs for the maintenance system
The craft biosand filter is as effective as the best
commercial filters

30. Please, spreading this information.
Thank you!

31. For more information write to:
fundamorvenezuela@gmail.com
oscarmanuelromero@yahoo.es
Follow us:
@Fundamorvzla
Fundación Amor Venezuela
Visit:
www.fundamorvenezuela.blogspot.com
www.cawst.org
www.eawag.ch
www.aquaclara.org/es/
www.fundeih.org

32. Diseño y realización:
Oscar Manuel Romero
Traducción:
Katherin Hernández
Producción General:
Fundación AMOR Venezuela
San Vicente y las Granadinas
noviembre de 2012