July
|
Training successfully carried out in Kenya from 17 - 21 December 2007
|
Eric Fewster
21-Jul-2007
BushProof successfully held a training in household biosand filtration for 5 participants in Machakos, Kenya between 17 - 21 December 2007.
|
| |
June
|
BushProof helps Tearfund start bio-sand filter project
|
Eric Fewster
23-Jun-2006
Tearfund has introduced bio-sand filters in Uvira, Democratic Republic of Congo, following a 5-day training organised by BushProof. Cholera is a serious problem in the area, as well as other water-related diseases, and it is hoped that these filters will provide a real health improvement to local people. The filters are being sold and it is hoped that sustainability will be achieved through sufficient local demand. More information is available here.
|
| |
December
|
Successful biosand filter training implemented in Kenya
|
Eric Fewster
15-Dec-2005
BushProof has recently organised a 5-day training course in bio-sand filtration (BSF) in Kenya, for a number of local and international participants. The aim of the course was to fully prepare participants to start successful bio-sand filter projects in their own areas. The training was held on the site of a successful ongoing BSF project.
The training proved to be very practical and included hands-on construction of filters as well as field visits to install and commission the units in village households. The course focused on finding solutions for the particular environments from where the participants originated. In addition, theoretical sessions provided a firm grounding in filtration processes, highlighting previous research and project evaluations. Participants that wanted to learn more about scientific details involving bio-sand filters were given all opportunity to do so. Every participant received a CD which contains a wealth of information on (scientific) material regarding bio-sand filtration. In 2006, BushProof is planning additional BSF courses. Detailed course description and booking forms are available here.
|
| |
June
|
Bio-sand filter: Academic research needed
|
Eric Fewster
24-Jun-2005
BushProof, the owner of BioSandFilter.org has been in contact with the University of North Carolina regarding developing detailed research parameters for areas it believes are gaps in the current knowledge base regarding intermittent biosand filtration. The research that has been carried out since September 2004 by the University of North Carolina has sought to evaluate the effectiveness of the bio-sand filter at removing individual pathogens, such as E. coli and certain viruses and bacteriophages. While the filter's effectiveness has been widely studied using indicator bacteria (such as E. coli), data on individual pathogen removal is scarce. This research will therefore add valuable knowledge on the effectiveness of intermittent filtration to the knowledge base. The fact that an estimated 100 thousand filters are already in use, makes this study all the more relevant.
The initial findings of the research found that:
- Ripening time varies, probably due to influent water quality
- Between 95-98% reduction was achieved of E. coli in a ripened filter
- About 80-90% virus reductions were observed in a ripened filter
- Filter performance and filtrate water quality are influenced by water dosing pause period and volume: greater retention time in a ripened filter leads to greater microbial reduction
In addition to this ongoing research, BushProof has been advocating the need to research the effect of hydraulic loading rates on pathogen removal. BushProof intends to carry out some field studies on the effect of this on field filters, but is trying to encourage research institutions to look into the effect of hydraulic loading rate on pathogen removal where bio-secure laboratory facilities are more readily available. Click here to download a research concept paper detailing this research.
|
| |
March
|
Bio-sand filter solution in emergency situations
|
Adriaan Mol
02-Mar-2005
BushProof provided technical support to a Medair project in Madagascar in late 2004. The Swiss based NGO used the improved round sand filters for a crisis response project following a destructive cyclone in two coastal zones. Within a few months more than 600 families received a sand filter, providing safe drinking water to several thousand people.
In Eastern Congo, a bio-sand filter project was recently started by Tear Fund. Due to insecurity, a filter training could not take place at the project site. However, several Congolese staff travelled to Kenya where they were trained by BushProof experts in the art of bio-sand filtration. The project area is often insecure, but a bio-sand filter ensures that clean water remains available, even if it's not possible to venture far outside the village.
|
| |
August
|
Paper on bio sand filtration for WEDC conference
|
Adriaan Mol
24-Aug-2004
The introduction of intermittently operated slow sand filters, suitable for use at household level, is gaining momentum in the developing world. An estimated 100,000 bio-sand filters are already in use, providing improved drinking water to more than half a million people. Lab and field research has shown that bio-sand filters are capable of impressive reductions of turbidity and pathogen levels. However, long-term sustainability, social acceptance and appropriateness have not been well documented.
An evaluation was therefore conducted in rural Kenya to measure the performance of filters introduced 4 years previously. Measuring turbidity and E.coli removal rates, maintenance practices and user perceptions, the study found all but one filters still in use with over 70% producing water of good quality. Underperformance of some filters pointed at poor maintenance habits. As a ‘point of use’ water treatment solution, bio-sand filters seem very appropriate, effective and cheap. Strategies to introduce this promising technology at a large scale need to be seriously investigated.
Download the full document.
|
| |
June
|
Bio-sand filtration at IWA conference
|
Adriaan Mol
24-Jun-2004
Replacing Adriaan Mol of BioSandFilter.org, Camille Dow Baker of CAWST will make a presentation on field based evidence on the performance of houshold bio-sand filtration. This presentation will be part of the Workshop on Household Water Treatment, which forms part of the forthcoming IWA Congress in Marrakech 19-24 September 2004.
Click here for more information on the IWA conference.
|
| |
World governments break promise to provide clean water
|
Adriaan Mol
24-Jun-2004
World governments are breaking their commitments towards halving the proportions of people without access to safe water and basic sanitation by 2015. A new report published for the UN Commission on Sustainable Development currently underway criticizes both rich and poor countries for failing to take the world's water crisis seriously. Click here to read more. (Source: WaterAid bulletin).
|
| |
