FIELD STUDIES OF A DOMESTIC ARSENIC FILTER

Field studies on the performance of a domestic water filter developed in Indian sub-continent have been. successfully carried out in terms of it's efficiency for the removal of arsenic, iron and bacteria from ground water. Filter works on the simple principle of co-precipitation and adsorption followed by filtration through treated sand. Reactant material used in the filter is steel wool which is indigenously as well as globally available at a very low cost. Arsenic laden waste generated during the filtration is being disposed off in the form of standard grade impermeable concrete blocks used in construction industry resulting in no waste generation in the process and making the technology environmental friendly and green.

More than 200 such filters are currently being used by villagers in arsenic affected areas of West Bengal and Bihar states of India for last two and a half years . The initial arsenic concentration ranges between 30 to 400ppb where as the permissible level as per WHO/ EPA guidelines is only 10 ppb. The reactant material lasts for a year and can be easily replaced at a very -very reasonable cost ( Rs.45.00 or US$ 1.00/ filter). Performance of theses filters is being closely monitored by the NGO who has also taken rights for its commercialization.

The filter is user friendly , cost effective (Rs. 200-1000/ or US$ 5.00 to 20.00/ filter depending upon the type of material), easy to maintain and doesn't require any power supply for its operation. Cost of arsenic water is almost negligible ( only Rs.0.30 or US$ 0.007/ 1000 liters) Therefore, this may prove highly beneficial for the villagers especially in the remote parts of arsenic affected areas of West Bengal ,Bangladesh, Nepal and other rural areas of developing world affected by arsenic poisoning. The technology also has potential to be converted into centralized continuous plant of high flow rate.