Ceramic Water Filters

ENTRY DATE: 04.05.2015 | LAST UPDATE: 04.05.2015

CATEGORIES:

  • Water Resources
  • Securement of quality of drinking water

TECHNOLOGIES MATURITY:

Applicable Immediately with continuous research and improvement occurring

Technology Owners:

  • NGOs e.g. International Development Enterprises Cambodia (IDE), Resource Development International (RDI), Cambodian Red Cross.
  • Most production managed by NGOs
  • Households

Needs Address

Supply of fresh water for domestic use

Adaptation effects

Increased water quality and reduced detrimental health impacts of contaminated water

Overview and Features

Utilises porous ceramic to filter contaminated drinking water. The microscopic pore size of the ceramic enables the removal of bacteria and other contaminants, filtering 1-3 litres of water per hour. Fine grained combustible material is mixed into the unfired clay, leaving small pores behind after firing.

Cost

  • Costs vary, but are usually in the range of USD 5-25
  • E.g. RDI production, retail and replacement of filter costs is USD 7.00, USD 8.00 and USD 2.50, respectively; IDE is USD 5.30, USD 7.50-9.50 and USD 4.50-5.00, respectively

Energy source

Require no external energy source

Ease of maintenance

  • Requires relatively little maintenance and has a life span of over 5 years if well looked after.
  • Ideally, they are replaced every 1-2 years
  • Regular surface scrubbing removes build up to maintain the effectiveness and rate of filtration

Technology performance

  • Have significant reduced rates of diarrhoea and increased the supply of safe drinking water, with a reduction of diarrhoea rates from between 39%-44% amongst users of ceramic water filters in Cambodia
  • Widely promoted by NGO Potters for Peace.

Considerations

  • Require the knowledge and know how for production and are produced and disseminated en masse by factory outlets
  • Microbial growth must be avoided through proper cleaning and maintenance. Some filters are treated with silver or another microbe inhibiting material to reduce microbial growth
  • Education and training in proper water filtration and use should complement the introduction of ceramic water filters

Co-benefit, suitability for developing countries

  • Considerable health benefits including reduction of diarrhoea rates
  • Can provide a source of income for community members who sell the technology privately
  • Can be produced using locally available materials.
  • The filters are lightweight, inexpensive, easy to use, portable and free from chemicals
  • NGOs supply the filters at subsidies rates to recipients

Information Resources

CDC, 2012. Ceramic Filtration. Centres or Disease Control and Prevention. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/safewater/ceramic-filtration.html [18 January 2015]

Michaud, R. 2012. DIY Ceramic Water Filters. Available from: http://www.motherearthnews.com/diy/diy-ceramic-water-filters-zwfz1207zmat.aspx?PageId=1#axzz3PA82uH00 [18 January 2015]

UNICEF, 2007. Use of Ceramic Water Filters in Cambodia. UNICEF Field Note. Available from: http://www.unicef.org/eapro/WSP_UNICEF_FN_CWP_Final.pdf [18 January 2015]