The availability of potable water is decreasing as the world’s population increases. In Cambodia, 1 in 7 children die before the age of 5 from preventable diseases such as typhoid, malnutrition, malaria, dengue fever. *Care International statistics 2004 in accordance with the Cambodian Department of Public Health. The common denominator in many of these diseases is waterborne illness. One glass of bad water impacts an entire family through lost wages, transport, medical treatment, medicine, and possible even death. Our bio-sand water filters effectively remove the dangers of bad water and its affects at a low cost and have the immediate impact of reducing water borne related diseases and alleviating human suffering as a result of drinking contaminated water. It is our goal that one in every three families in rural villages is provided with a bio-sand water filter to ensure their water is potable. All bio-sand water filters are recorded with GPS locations. Bio-sand water filter recipients receive training in their indigenous language, Khmer, regarding use, maintenance and proper water storage techniques, along with basic hygiene and sanitation practices.
The filtration media consists of a layer of gravel, a layer of course sand, and a layer of fine sand. There is a plastic diffuser plate above the water level to avoid disturbing the naturally occurring bio-layer. It is the bio-layer which holds the key bacteria essential to removing biological pathogens and parasites. Water travels through the layer of biologically active sand and gravel which traps and degrades sediment, parasites and 98% bacteria.
Operation and maintenance is simple and within the capabilities of any user. Water poured through the filter processes at a rate of .6 liters per minute, which provides sufficient water fast enough to keep up with a family’s demand for clean water. Each filter can optimally filter 50 to 80 liters of water per day.
The bio-sand water filter is used worldwide and distributed by several organizations.
Community stewards are selected to maintain bio-sand water filters in each village. These stewards are instructed on proper set-up, maintenance and water sanitation education, and pass this knowledge on to village residents using the water filters. It is exciting to see this technology successfully spreading out to the rural areas with the greatest need.