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DECEMBER 2010 HAITI PROJECT FOR CHOLERA PREVENTION: CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS!

Biosand Water Filter Project


The goals of this project are:

The BioSand filter, when used properly, can remove 95-97% of viruses and bacteria, and 100% of protozoans (giardia, cryptosporidium, amoebaes) and worms (tapeworm, etc.). It was invented by Dr. David Manz, of Calgary , Canada.


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How does the BioSand filter work?


The filter is made of concrete. Inside is a long column of sand which traps and absorbs the disease-causing organisms. On top of the sand, when the filter is at rest, sits two inches of water. This water promotes the growth of a biological layer on the top of the sand, and the biolayer also absorbs and ingests the organisms in a complex cycle.


Sand filtration technology is not new, but the beauty of the BioSand filter is that is does not require electricity to keep the water level stable on top of the sand, and it can be operated intermittently. There are no moving parts, nor parts requiring replacement. Maintenance is a simple 5 minute procedure, using one finger to desludge the biological layer when it gets thick enough to slow the flow rate down to a trickle.


In the Dominican Republic, we have four highly qualified filter technicians, each who have successfully started small businesses selling filters. They each have fully equipped workshops and employ 2-3 staff. After training these technicians and getting quality control to a high level, we turned our focus to the training of community facilitators (CFs). CFs learn the theory of the filter, how to do a proper installation, and how to recognize and resolve the problems which may arise. The course for CFs is a two and a half day course, and involves Dominican and Haitian community leaders (medical clinic staff, NGO staff, mission groups, etc.), as well as the United States Peace Corps volunteers in the Dominican Republic.  Gradually, we are disseminating filters throughout the Dominican Republic and across the border in Haiti, while assuring that there are CFs in each location so that the filters are properly cared for.

SERIOUS THREATS TO OUR BIOSAND FILTER PROGRAM:

Our Biosand project has been threatened in the past couple of years by two issues. First, although we appreciate the intentions of Rotarians in raising funds for filters, it has not been helpful that these same Rotarians donate or heavily subsidize filters in the D.R. The Dominicans become accustomed to hand-outs, "freebies", and then refuse to pay the real price for a filter. This destroys the market, and makes it virtually impossible for our technicians to sell filters to anyone but a Rotary group-- and then the Rotarians go and donate again. This is not sustainable in any way. Overseas donations will eventually be directed to other countries and other programs. Then the whole Biosand program could collapse because no one has set up appropriate financing schemes.

The second serious threat has been the importation, again by Rotarians, of the plastic Biosand filter, or HydrAid as it is called. This filter is physically inferior to the concrete filter, it breaks easily, it does not cool the water, and it is too easy to move around (thus disrupting the biological layer). In addition, an imported plastic filter does nothing to help the economy of the Dominican Republic. Instead, it is taking away employment opportunities from Dominicans and giving those opportuniites to people in Michigan.

Add Your Light is educating women in Mother's Centers regarding the need to use financing methods to buy the concrete filter. In the D.R., if people stop buying bottled water, they can easily afford to pay for the concrete filter in monthly installments over a year or less.  This may not be the case in every country, but it is certainly the case in most areas of the D.R.

Please read the document, "A Perspective on Sustainability: The Biosand Filter Program, Dominican Republic", which is being distributed amongst Rotary groups as of June, 2010.

For updates, please read the most recent newsletter, posted on the home page


How can you help?


Donations are tax-deductible in Canada , and are gratefully accepted for water filters. Each BioSand filter costs $70 CAD or $60 USD, including the transport to the beneficiary's home. To donate, click on "How to Donate". Thank-you!