Pdf biosand filter construction guide affordable point of use. Biosand filters have been designed to allow for a filter loading rate flow rate per square meter of sand surface area which is specific for each biosand filter design and has proven to be effective in laboratory and field tests. This work is licensed under a creative commons attributionsharealike 3. Cawst 2009 the biosand filter is an innovation on traditional slow sand water filters which have been used for community water treatment for hundreds of years cawst 2009, specifically designed for intermittent or household use. A slow sand filter is a sand filter adapted for household use. When water was retrieved from the filter through a manual pump for long consistent time intervals 60 min, faecal coliform.
Biosand filter performance after periodic abandonment in honduran schools cordelia stewart1, barbara stewart2, catherine hopper3. The biosand filters remove organic materials, protozoans, worms, bacteria, and viruses. Currently, their project consists of two main areas in rural communities around the towns of kisii and eldoret. A slow sand filter contains biological activity and is therefore often referred to as a biosand filter. The centre for affordable water and sanitation technology cawst teaches people how to get safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in their. Cdes receive a financial incentive from aci for monthly sales that exceed 5 filters.
Please note that although commonly referred to as the biosand filter external, the biosand filter terminology is trademarked to one particular design, and this page encompasses all slow sand filters. The mechanisms within the filter include both mechanical and biological processes. Bsfs are columns of finely crushed rock sand on which microorganisms are living. In this manual, the biosand filter is drawn in many ways. Biosand filter construction manual without appendices section, august 2012. The mold for making concrete biosand filters, described in this manual, is made from steel. The household biosand filter bsf has recently become one of the most popular pou filtration devices, with more than 500,000 units distributed between 1991 and 2015 cawst, 2015. Mar, 2009 the biosand water filter is an adaptation of slowsand filtration that is designed for use by families at the household level. Pathogens and suspended solids are removed through a combination of biological and biolayer. Biosand technology is open source and royalty free, allowing us to build as many as our budget will allow. Biosand filter performance after periodic abandonment in.
As of august 2011, aci has implemented more than 1,800 biosand filters in kenya. Once the gravel is sorted, kits are put together including all the different sizes needed to assemble a home biosand filter. Alternatively, hydraid biosand water filter is a privately owned company that holds a license for a plastic biosand filter design. The short courses were being demanded after the success of the nicaraguan project was discovered. This study investigated a locally assembled biosand filter bsf water treatment device for low cost household level drinking water supply in hazardprone hardtoreach coastal areas of bangladesh to promote health. Awareness of how the biosand water filter developed brings a deeper appreciation for the innovation that it is and recognizes the numerous players in the process. Biosand filter components and function clean water.
A biosand filter bsf is an adaptation of the traditional slow sand filter, which has been used for community drinking water treatment for 200 years. This illustrated manual describes what a biosand filter is and how it works. Biosand filter construction manual wash education and training. This makes modern biosand filters suitable as a clean water filter for individual households. Bio sand water filter construction diy stepbystep youtube.
Biosand filter manual 5 jul 07 the biosand filter continued the biosand filter is a simple concrete box with six different distinct regions. Biosand filter for technicians participant manual iv drawings of the biosand filter the biosand filter is a large box. Specifically, this manual is designed for cawst clients. The filtration sand removes pathogens, suspended particles and other contaminants. These filters are built locally using available materials and labor. Practice%20generic%20themetriplewinsforsustainabledevelopmentweb. As with the other types of water projects we support, we are meeting the clean drinking water. Longterm field performance of biosand filters in the. Household water treatment and safe storage implementation case study. Page 1 user manual of the biosand filter daily usage never pour chlorinated water into the bio sand filter. Oxygen in the air diffuses through the supernatant to the biological layer. The bsf is smaller and adapted for intermittent use, making it suitable for households. The biosand filter bsf is an intermittently operated, householdscale slow sand filter for which little data are available on the effect of sand composition on treatment performance.
Manzwaterinfo biosand water filter, biosand water filter. Building a biosand filter for purifying water is simple. Aci developed a biosand filter using a plastic container for the filter body in 2007 and have received training and followup support from cawst. Bsf performance is comparable to other recommended household water treatment interventions. Cawst and the authors hereby provide permission to reproduce all or portions of this manual. The concrete biosand filter is an innovative version of the slow sand filter specifically designed for household use. It takes need number of these bags to fill a school biosand filter. It should be noted that the biosand filter cannot be relied upon to remove certain or all forms of water contamination. Bacteria singlecelled microorganisms, typically a few micrometres in length. All sand filter products are supplied through bushproof, a humanitarian company registered in the uk and madagascar. May 01, 20 a field study assessing the sustainability and efficacy of 55 biosand filters installed during 19992010 was conducted in the artibonite valley, haiti during 2011. Ceramic water filters are simple, inexpensive and highly effective water filtration systems that clean water using a ceramic pot painted with a solution called. This type of diffuser is adequate but is definitely not the best as leakage can occur around the edge of the diffuser and disturb the surface of the filter media and reduce the ability of the filter to remove bacteria and viruses.
The centre for affordable water and sanitation technology cawst teaches people how to get safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in their own homes, using simple, affordable technologies. The biosand filter bsf is an adaptation of the traditional slow sand filter, which has been used for community water treatment for hundreds of years. Knowledgebase on african diaspora and africana studies. Monitoring biosand filter projects manual without appendices section, october 2011.
Each one of these bags is a complete filter medium kit for a home biosand filter. A sustainable option for household treatment of drinking water 299 particulate material in the top surface of the filtering media will reduce the flow rate through the filter. Nathan arnold thesis final michigan technological university. Sep 10, 2012 bio sand water filter construction diy stepbystep. Biosand filter performance after periodic abandonment in honduran schools. Inlet reservoir zone where water is poured into the filter. A bsf consists of a concrete or plastic container filled with specially selected and prepared sand and gravel. The biosand filter bsf is a simple household water treatment device, which is an innovation on traditional slow sand filters specifically designed for intermittent use. The device was made using locally available materials plastic bucket, sand and gravel. Refer to cawsts biosand filter manual for detailed instructions on how to. Biosand filter components biosand filters are typically constructed from either concrete or plastic. Water is poured into the top of the column and spends a period of time in contact with the sand. For many in asia, their only source of water is full of diseases, and a biosand water filter is the perfect solution.
Check on the general condition of the filter regularly. Keeping the filter raised especially ceramic filter and the all surrounding tidy. This is the biosand filter construction manual without the four appendices. In addition, a number of consultancy and training services are available aimed at helping organisations start up their own bio sand filter projects. The hydraid biosand filter is a plasticbodied type of biosand filter bsf sold by nativeenergy. Bsf is a pointofuse water treatment system adapted from traditional slow sand filters. Like other filters, the biosand filter cannot remove dissolved contaminants or chemicals, such as salt, arsenic or fluoride. This document will help you understand the basics of a biosand filter bsf. The biosand filter requires maintenance when the flow rate drops to a level that is inadequate for. A biosand filter treats 8 liters or more of water per hour. Bio sand filter bsf the solution is for them to drink clean and safe water, not contaminated with parasites. The filter design is inspired by the opensource biosand filtration technology but uses a lightweight plastic housing instead of concrete. Biosand filter submitted by omills on mon, 20111010 9. The monitoring biosand filters project manual is for project implementers who want to improve and strengthen their biosand filter projects.
Pdf abstract this study investigated a locally assembled biosand filter bsf water. Biosand filters aqua clara international introduction aqua clara international aci is a nonprofit ngo headquartered in the usa and operating in kenya. Its very important to provide as much attention as possible for your daily drinking water. This also applies to the consumption of water from the biosand filter. The content on this page has been adapted from publications of centre for affordable water and sanitation technology cawst. As water flows through the filter, physical straining removes pathogens, iron, turbidity and manganese. The most widely used plans for the concrete biosand filter are produced and distributed by cawst in calgary. The hydraid biosand water filter is a patented, lightweight, household, pointofuse filter powered by gravity.
Stripping the water of its impurities, these filters can save families from waterborne illnesses and allow children to grow healthy and strong. In this thesis, cawsts biosand filter manual 2009 have had a great. Slow sand filtration cdc pdf pdf 2 pages a slow sand filter is a sand filter adapted for household use. They are focused on empowering communities to meet their own needs by using a partnershipbased. The biosand filter technology builds upon the centuries old slow sand filtration process. Apr 12, 2017 while there are a number of water purification technologies in use all over the world, the technology most often implemented by pure water for the world is the hydraid biosand filter. Biosand filter manual design, construction, installation, operation and maintenance. Biosand filters remove pathogens and suspended solids from water using biological and physical processes that take place in a sand column covered with a biofilm. John 2102012 this manual details the design principles and communicates the assembly and installation procedures for a 10 inch pvc pipe biosand filter. Do households understand how to carry out maintenance. There is a recommended filter loading rate for each filter design. Biosand filter effectiveness is greatly influenced by the presence and quality of filter components, the quality of filter construction, and the dimensions of the filter.
Concrete biosand water filter construction manual book 4. A a storage capacity above the sand bed to provide. The biosand filter is smaller than those used for an entire community and has been adapted for intermittent use. Mechanical processes include straining, adhesion and adsorption within the sand, whereas biological processes include predation by. Swim seeks to deliver clean water to many nations, so we build lowcost and semipermanent bio sand filters in mission field, and we also train the native there to build them with parts easily found there. This awardwinning water filtration technology was developed by dr. Any substance used by microorganisms to live and grow. The content on this page has been adapted from publications of the centre for affordable water and sanitation technology cawst. Operation of biosand filters a laymans guide to clean water. All users, including children, need to be taught how and why the filter works and about its correct operation and maintenance. Water treatment is carried out by the sand inside the filter.
As in slow sand filters, a biological layer of microorganisms also known as. Building a biosand filter for purifying water afropedea. Biosand filter sswm find tools for sustainable sanitation. Adequate training during installation and sufficient followup is perhaps a weak link in any biosand filter project, as householders tend to forget or ignore advice given regarding maintenance, contributing to substandard performance of filters. The history of the biosand water filter is well documented in photographs. There is a great deal of history and many projects that lead to the development of the biosand water filter technology and spinoff technologies presently marketed by davnor water filters ltd. Household water treatment and safe storage implementation. Overall study results revealed a greater portion of turbidity. It also describes the steps to construct, install and monitor version 10 biosand filters. Biosand filter manual iii glossary adsorption when a contaminant attaches itself to the surface of a solid.
Biolayer the biological layer formed at the sandwater interface of slow sand filters. There is an adaptation of the biosand filter using rusty nails, called the kanchan filter, which can remove arsenic from water. The biosand filter construction manual describes what a biosand filter is and how it works. Cawst has prepared a summary of laboratory and field studies for the biosand filter. How the biosand water filter works samaritans purse. Bsfs have been shown to remove heavy metals, turbidity, bacteria, viruses and protozoa. The basic structure typically consists of a plastic or concrete shell, filled mainly with a sand media, with a discharge tube that is raised to a level such that a. Biosand filter is an inexpensive way to purify water.
It is refilled manually and can supply the drinking water needs of a household. A biosand filter is a simple type of water purification system that uses sand, gravel, gravity and some simple engineering to purify water contaminated with biologics and some chemicals. Improving household drinking water quality use of biosand filters in cambodia the bsf is a robust water treatment technology for use in rural cambodian households, capable of effective removal of bacteria, and significant reduction of diarrheal disease. Essential features of the slow sand filtration process are. During the launch, local aci staff explain how the program works, introduce the cde. The biosand water filter is an adaptation of slowsand filtration that is designed for use by families at the household level. If it is sitting on the ground, it will come up to your waist, or higher. Cawst centre for affordable water and sanitation technology. Biosand filters can achieve up to 99% removal of diseasecausing pathogens if built and operated properly. As microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and parasites travel through the sand, they collide with and adsorb onto sand particles.
Ensuring that the filter is in good location especially for ceramic filters. This allows the microorganisms living in the sand to remove pathogens from the water. Biosand filter manual 6 3 biosand filter operation the following sections describe how to properly use the biosand filter to ensure the highest level of treatment efficiency. How the biosand water filter works samaritans purse canada. The materials to construct the biosand filter are all available locally and are very affordable. A pilot test project in san juan del sur, nicaragua was conducted to verify viability. The biosand filter is an intermittentflow slow sand filter, designed to produce safe drinking water without the use of chemicals. Reporting to the vht or relevant authorities for support and help. You can also download our wood mold construction manual and appendix.
Its structure is generally made of concrete or plastic and. The hydraid biosand filter is intended for pointofuse water filtration and can provide clean water for a family of eight to ten people for more than 10 years. Improving household drinking water quality use of biosand. This report documents the design, installation guide, performance evaluation and exhibition of a local affordable plastic biosand filter for pou. Carrying out daily maintenance operation to increase on the flow rate and also avoid the smell especially for biosand filter.