Slow Sand Filters

"Under suitable circumstances, slow sand filtration may be not only the cheapest and simplest but also the most efficient method of water treatment."

--World Health Organization's Water Sanitation and Health division

Overall Efficiency
More than 90% of fecal coliform 100% of protozoa and helminths 50-90% of organic and inorganic toxicants 95-99% of zinc, copper, cadmium and lead < 67% of iron and manganese <47% of arsenic all suspended sediments

http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/ndwc/pdf/OT/TB/TB14_slowsand.pdf

Pretreatment
Basic: metal or plastic diffuser plate
Evenly distributes water, less turbidity keep in stock in village?

Larger particles tend to clog diffuser and fine sand

Roughing filters
Upstream versions, large gravel

Cloth filtration
Folded sari or cotton, frequently washed

No chlorine treatment prior to filter; kills biofilm

Water should be added from below so that it rises through the sand, pushing out the air. If water is added at the top, some air is likely to become trapped between the sand particles, adversely affecting subsequent performance
http://www.wau.boku.ac.at/fileadmin/_/H81/H811/Skripten/811308/05_tec hnik/308_05_G_tb59householdwatertreatment.pdf

Schmutzdecke (biofilm)
German/Yiddish work for dirty blanket Sticky, reddish-brown film consisting of organic matter (algae, bacteria, protozoa, microbes) and waterborne elements (iron, manganese and silica) Rotifers, crustacea and insect larvae feed on algae and pathogens too Most filtering activity takes place on upper 2mm Acts as fine filter to remove undesirable particles from raw water
those that would be detrimental help once trapped

Biological Mechanisms
Predation bacteria and pathogen grazing by protozoa and other microorganisms Scavenging lower layers house aquatic worms and organisms that scavenge detritus Natural death and inactivation due to hostile environment via increased competition

Metabolic breakdown reduction of organic carbon

 Seeding with biologically productive raw water improves efficiency

Forms within a week of sand filter startup, do not disturb! Needs a fair amount of oxygen to promote biological growth
Possibly aided by gentle stirring of influent water

Keep 5mm of water above layer (or at least moist) at all times Works best in warm weather (no problem)
May experience sweating through concrete, cools water (good)

Some solar exposure is recommended

Strong seasonal effect, however Can promotes algal blooms, which kill all other biological activity

 Retention time in sand is key

Maturity of layer directly related to cleanliness of effluent

Most activity and filtering takes place in shmutzdecke

Sand surface serves as biofilm as well
Absorbs bacteria and viruses by mass attraction and electrical forces, forms living coating This effect penetrates some 40 cm down

Lower levels do not have enough food or heat for stomach irritants, so they are gradually filtered out Can add nonbiological elements to increase efficiency
Iron nails or shavings decrease some pathogens, arsenic levels
http://www.biosandfilter.org/biosandfilter/index.php/item/315 http://wedc.lboro.ac.uk/publications/pdfs/24/muhammad.pdf

More explicit biological information can be found here: http://tede.ibict.br/tde_busca/arquivo.php?codArquivo=205 Thesis continues from 205 to 209 Also see http://www.biosandfilter.org/biosandfilter/index.php/item/320

Maintenance
LOW TURBIDITY Clean biofilm every one to three months or when excessive flow loss is noticed Harrowing
Add extra mms of water above biofilm Stir and comb through gently Plug effluent and drain off from above Remove about 2cm biofilm Less downtime and sand loss than raw scraping
http://www.biosandfilter.org/biosandfilter/index.php/item/299

Education
Communicate that BSF makes drinking water Will taste better than well water (less metal concentration) and looks clearer Good bugs eat the bad bugs Direct impact on health, decreases diarrhea Use clean containers to catch water at the end!!

Locally available materials Best if concrete molds are already established (large-bore pipes?) Hold seminars on construction, maintenance, use
Promote spread of knowledge to other communities

Each home needs its own stake if they pay a little for it, will be more inclined to take better care of it?
Study concluded that 5% income was appropriate

Contact professionals (http://www.slowsandfilter.com/training.htm) for tips?

Other Projects
Avoided working with groups, but specifically targeted individuals
Self-gain is easiest aspect to target Once it catches on, can introduce new area of livelihood for villagers http://www.biosandfilter.org/biosandfilter/files/webfiles/BioSandFilter_Article_ Waterlines_July_01.pdf

Stories of satisfaction with, importance of water quality, ease of use

http://www.cawst.org/assets/File/Slow_Sand_Filter_Study.pdf

Designs; necessity of proper monitoring, education, evaluation

http://ec.europa.eu/echo/other_files/watsan2005/annex_files/IRC.ENVIRON EMTALHEALTHPORTABLELIBRARY/EH%20KEY%20REFERENCES/WAT ER/Water%20Treatment/Household%20Water%20Treatment/BioSand%20F iltration%20(Waterloo%20Uni).pdf

Designs, sari and arsenic ideas, application in Nepal

http://ocw.mit.edu/NR/rdonlyres/Civil-and-Environmental-Engineering/1782Fall-2003-Spring-2004/6801AE52-2186-4E0F-8999DC8211B64C5D/0/NepalGroupFinalReport2003Water.pdf

A few post-implementation designs on youtube as well

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLKwH68LjnM&feature=related (not in English)

Other Websites
For concrete molding:
http://www.biosandfilter.org/biosandfilter/index.php/item/269

For sand size and depth:

http://www.biosandfilter.org/biosandfilter/index.php/item/289

Previous EWB solar projects/info:

http://ewb-usa.org/project_search.php?op=project&ID=306 http://ewb-usa.org/project_search.php?op=project&ID=169 http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/001987.html