Name of the Team
Ceramics Water Filter
Contact E-mail
skrissh_phoolbari@hotmail.com
Team Members
1) Shree Krishna Dhital
2) Sabin Neupane
Field of study
Advisor`s Name
Affiliation
Telephone
Email
Dean
Name
Signature
Email
Bachelor`s in Mechanical Engineering
KATHMANDU UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
DHULIKHEL, KAVRE, NEPAL
PROPOSAL ON
CERAMIC WATER FILTER PROJECT
By:
Shree Krishna Dhital
Sabin Neupane
ME III/II
Submitted to:
Turbine Testing Lab
Kathmandu University
Dhulikhel, Kavre
Abstract
Countries like Nepal face tough challenges in terms of providing safe, clean drinking water for
their citizens. The World Health Organization estimates that nearly 5 million people in Nepal
lack access to safe drinking water while globally, 1.1 billion lack accesses to improved water
supplies. Point-of-use water treatment technologies, such as household ceramic water filters,
offer an affordable and effective means of treating water to standards suitable for drinking. The
fact that ceramic water filters can be manufactured and produced by local ceramists with local
materials makes ceramic filters particularly attractive as a point-of-use treatment technology that
is affordable, appropriate, and sustainable. This thesis examines existing ceramic water filter
technologies, production processes, and methods for bringing a low-cost ceramic water filter to
market in Nepal. Three types of disk filters and five types of candle filters are evaluated in terms
of microbiological removal efficiency and flow rate. A red-clay grog disk filter coated with
colloidal silver and three of the five candle filters (Katadyn, Ceradyn, Katadyn, Gravidyn, and
the Hari Govinda white-clay candle filter capped on both ends) also coated with colloidal silver,
performed the best in terms of microbiological removal efficiency (>98%) and flow rate (ranging
from 641mL/hr/candle (Ceradyn) to 844 mL/hr/candle (Gravidyn)). In addition to filter testing, a
guideline for developing a ceramic water filter in preparation for bringing a product to market is
presented, along with a discussion on the importance of laboratory and field testing to ensure
overall product performance. A step-by-step summary of the production process is also presented
along with a comparison of the theoretical flow rate through a candle filter versus a disk filter.
Recommendations for future work include testing and modifying the current disk-filter prototype
design and research on the most appropriate filter element for the proposed prototype.
Acknowledgements
What impressed me the most in the research and projects on the community based projects is the
number of individuals and organizations passionately engaged in the quest to improve the health
and welfare of those in needs in countries like Nepal. Their hard work has inspired me to not
only write this proposal, but to consider how I can incorporate development work into my career
as an engineer. If engineering is about solving problems, then there is no greater a problem to
solve right now than getting clean water to the 1.1 billion who lack access to safe drinking water.
I hope this proposal, which is based on the hard work of the following individuals and many
others, will contribute to solving this problem.
I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Hari Govinda Prajapati (Proprietor, Madhyapur Clay
Crafts) for his valuable time and information regarding ceramic filters. I can`t stop myself
without thanking Mr. Biraj Singh Thapa (Lecturer, Kathmandu University) for his valuable
suggestions and encouragements. Thanks as well to Mr. Sudeep Adhikari (Research Assistant,
Kathmandu University) for his motivations and suggestions regarding this project. Our special
thanks to Dr. Rajendra Koju (Kathmandu University Hospital) and Dr. Sanjay Nath Khanal
(Professor, Kathmandu University) for their kindest assistance regarding the E.Coli test in the
water samples from the village.
List of Abbreviations
Acronym Full Name
CS -Colloidal Silver
DWSS -Department of Water Supply and Sewerage
ENPHO- Environment and Public Health Organization
HDI -Human Development Index
ICIMDS -International Center for Integrated Mountain Development
IDE -International Development Enterprises
LRV- Log Reduction Value
NRs -Nepalese Rupee
NWSC- Nepal Water Supply Corporation
PFP -Potters for Peace
POU -Point of Use
PPM- Pottery Purification Media
RWSSP- Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Support Program
USD -United States Dollar
WHO -World Health Organization
Chapter I
Introduction
Rationale Study:
The global community faces a tough challenge: to halve the number of people without access to
improved water supply and sanitation by the year 2015. This bold objective, also known as one
of the Millennium Development Goals, was again committed to by governments from around the
world during the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg South
Africa. Considering the World Health Organization’s estimate of 1.1 billion people who lack
access to improved drinking water supply, the Millennium Development Goal for water works
out to delivering access to improved water supply at a rate of ~100,000 people per day between
the years 2000 and 2015.
Can governments alone realistically meet this ambitious goal by the year 2015 through
conventional centralized water supply systems? In the pursuit of solutions to providing safe
drinking water to those in need, point-of-use household water treatment has emerged as a
complementary solution to centralized water supply systems. Household ceramic water filters, in
particular, offer an affordable and effective means of treating water to a standard suitable for
drinking. Although the use of ceramic water collection and storage vessels goes back centuries,
there is little documentation and testing of the effectiveness of low-cost ceramic water filters
both in the laboratory and in the field. What research has been done suggests that the
commercially available ceramic water filter systems in places such as India, Nepal, Nicaragua,
and Brazil are adequate, but could be improved to better meet the drinking water needs of
citizens – especially the poor. In particular, many commercially available filter systems are too
expensive for the poor who are suffering the most from waterborne diseases.
Problem Statement:
Water is the basic source for life. Clean water is the key for a healthy society. But due to its
geographical location and environmental conditions, the village of Phoolbari often lacks water or
has no access to clean drinking water. The major water sources are taps, wells, springs (kuwa)
where water is directly coming out of the ground, rainwater, ponds, etc. While people are getting
water from the wells they use a simple bucket to get the water up. People using water from the
kuwa, they take it with a small pot. Wells, springs, rainwater (might be stored) are used of the
whole year, while the kuwas are mostly used during dry seasons. There are several problems
with water contamination. Especially, the contamination with dust and fecal bacteria reduces the
water quality and may have severe influences on human health. Following problems and ways of
contamination can be observed in the water sources of Phoolbari:

During the rainy season or after heavy rain falls the rain water is getting too fast into the
well and might bring dirt and bacteria, especially fecal bacteria, into the water.

Cross contamination occurs when different buckets from different families are used to
collect the water. The buckets are not always clean enough and they are thought to be a
major source of water contamination with fecal bacteria.

In rainy seasons the village people might not be able to go to the well so they have to use
rain water. Rain water is suspected to be below drinking water quality and might cause
health problems. Also during collection contamination with bacteria (from roof, pipelines
and in water storage pond) can occur.

In kuwa`s the contamination is a very severe problem. Often the kuwa`s are not properly
protected from environmental influences such as dust, animals or other kind of dirt. Also
people use soaps and detergents near the kuwas and contaminate the water with those. So
people have to collect dirty water. They do it with a small pot and often mud or sand is
also collect with the water. All these things reduces the quality of the water drastically.
Due to the fact that people from Phoolbari village do not use any kind of water purification they
have to use water from these different water sources. As listed above contamination with fecal
bacteria and other kind of dirt is very probable and common. To give guaranty of clean water in
drinking water quality, water filters are necessary.
Objectives:
The project focuses mainly on providing safe drinking water to those who have less access to
clean drinking water. This is a global campaign being started by many of the organizations in
various parts of the world. Though it’s not a new program in our country and community but still
many of our community don’t have enough safe drinking water. Every year many people die due
to water borne diseases and many suffer due to polluted water. The project targets to reach
within the unreached and raise awareness among them about the safe drinking water and its
impact in the development of a healthy, happy society and a country.
The main objectives of the project are:
 To promote awareness about the safe drinking water in the communities which lack
access to safe and clean drinking water.
 To test the drinking water samples from the from the project site.
 To organize water sources sanitation campaigns and wash training workshops in the
communities and local schools.
 To encourage local clubs, women groups and other local organization`s participation in
the environmental and water related issues in their community.
 To research on the health/environment/water related issues in community.
 To distribute the ceramics water filters in the community to ensure people get safe
drinking water.
 To train the locales about the proper use of the ceramics filter and its cleanliness.
Chapter II
Discussion
Methodology:
The project is planned to be started in a local village which has very less access to clean drinking
water and who are less aware of water sanitation and its consequences. This has to be operated in
several stages in different timestamps to reach the targeted goals.
S.N
Stage
Goal
Time Frame
Cost $
1.
Community visit
Identify the problem
May 11-May 18
$20
2.
Water Sample Collection
E.Coli test in water
May 25
$25
June 8-June 15
$45
July 13
$1000
Ensure the sustainability
Once a month after
$60
of the project and result
August for 6 months
samples
3.
Awareness Program
To overcome the test
results
4.
Filter Distribution Program
Approach to the problem
encountered
5.
Monitoring and feedback
Total
$1150
Overview of Ceramic Water Filters
Ceramic water filters have been used in various places around the world as a means of treating
drinking water at the household level. Some examples include the Potters for Peace Filtron
(Nicaragua), the TERAFIL terracotta filter (India), and the candle filter (India, Nepal,
Bangladesh, Brazil, etc.). Ceramic filters have micro-scale pores that are effective for removing
bacteria from water. The filters are made from clay that is often mixed with materials such as
sawdust or wheat flour to improve porosity. Colloidal silver, an antibacterial agent, can also be
added to the filters. A low-cost colloidal silver-enhanced ceramic water filter; the Filtron
Ceramic water filters can be categorized according to various key parameters:
1. Shape (e.g.: candle element, disk, and pot);
2. Type of clay (e.g.: white kaolin, red terracotta, black clay…);
3. Combustible material (e.g.: sawdust, flour, risk husk…).
Ceramic water filters can also be described by their function(s):
1. Microbial removal (e.g.: Potters for Peace Filtron);
2. Chemical contaminant removal such as arsenic and iron (e.g.: 3 Kolshi filter for arsenic)
3. Secondary contaminant removal like taste and odor (e.g.: Katadyn® Gravidyn ceramic candle
filter with activated carbon).
Other key variables that influence the properties of ceramic water filters include:
1. Use of additional materials in production (e.g.: grog, sand, combustible materials…);
2. Firing temperature;
3. Mode of production (e.g.: hand mold, wheel, and mechanical press).
The entire filter unit is often defined in terms of two components: the filter element or media
(Filter Holder) through which water passes and the filter system (receptacle) which houses the
media, usually consisting of an upper and lower storage vessel for holding water.
Performance of a ceramics filter:
Amount of Water Treated:
Disk filters typically have a flow rate of 1 to 11 liters per hour and candle filters have a flow rate
of 0.3 to 0.8 liters/hour. Under ideal filter conditions and 12 hours of continuous refilling, a filter
with a flow rate of 1.7 liters per hour would provide less than 4 liters per day per person for a
family of five.
Contaminant removal:
Disk and candle filters are generally effective for removing turbidity, iron, coliforms, fecal
contaminants, and E. Coli from water. In studies, disk filters with colloidal silver have exhibited
a 93 to 100 percent bacterial removal rate, and those without silver have shown an 80 percent
removal rate. Candle filters with colloidal silver generally exhibit 100 percent bacterial removal,
and those without silver average at 85 percent removal. Disk filters range from 83 to 99 percent
turbidity removal. Ceramic filters are generally not effective for removing organic contaminants.
Ceramic filters are easily assembled, and no component construction is required of the user other
than placing the filter into the container. Scrubbing the filter with a toothbrush is required
monthly as maintenance. Annual colloidal silver recoating is also recommended. Filters typically
come with illustrated instructions. The fragility of ceramic filters can make their transport
difficult.10 Field studies have also indicated that heavy subsidization or free distribution of
filters may result in maintenance negligence. The production of ceramic filters is a lengthy
process that requires skill and quality control. Quality can be affected by variations in clay
composition across geographic regions. Variability in weather conditions also makes long-term
production planning difficult, and lack of storage can complicate stockpiling of filters.
Ease of use:
Ceramic filters are easily assembled, and no component construction is required of the user other
than placing the filter into the container. Scrubbing the filter with a toothbrush is required
monthly as maintenance. Annual colloidal silver recoating is also recommended. Filters typically
come with illustrated instructions. The fragility of ceramic filters can make their transport
difficult.10 Field studies have also indicated that heavy subsidization or free distribution of
filters may result in maintenance negligence. The production of ceramic filters is a lengthy
process that requires skill and quality control. Quality can be affected by variations in clay
composition across geographic regions. Variability in weather conditions also makes long-term
production planning difficult, and lack of storage can complicate stockpiling of filters.
Aquasif Ceramic Silver Treated Filter:
Very few disc filters appear to be manufactured within Nepal. One example; however, is a
Aquasif Silver treated ceramic water filter manufactured at Madhyapur Clay Crafts in Thimi by
Mr. Hari Govinda Prajapati (Figure below). The Clay that is used by Hari to produce the filter
disc is brought from Bode and nearby places of Timi in Bhaktapur. The upper and lower
containers are made of red terracotta clay from Thimi, Nepal. Each container has a holding
capacity of approximately 12 L. The disk filter element is roughly 12 inches high and 10.5 inches
diameter. The complete unit sells for approximately 650 NRs (USD $7.60 while replacing the
filter disc element for the next time costs NRs. 250 (US $2.90). Typical replacement time for
ceramic candle filters is 24 months. The filters must be periodically cleaned with a brush to
remove surface buildup of particles.
Laboratory tests of the Hari candle filter were performed by Junko Sagara in 2000. PresenceAbsence tests for both the unfiltered and filtered water showed positive readings suggesting that
the filter was not effective at removing H2S-forming bacteria, which is used as an indicator
species for the presence of pathogens. MPN results for the same filter showed a raw water
microbial concentration >8 MPN (bacteria/100mL) and a filtered water microbial concentration
of 3.9 MPN (bacteria/100mL) confirming the results obtained from the Presence-Absence tests.
The flow rate per disc filter is at 4000 mL/hr. The results were more favorable, in terms of
microbial removal rates – especially for the filter unit that was coated with colloidal silver which
removed >99% of the total coliform and E.coli bacteria given a raw water concentration of 89
cfu/100 mL and 56 cfu/100 mL for total coliform and E.coli, respectively.
Project Cost:
In the initial phase, we are planning to install about 120 Aquasif Ceramic filters in 120
households in Phoolbari Village. First of all, the water samples from around the village will be
tested for E.coli and other microbes. Awareness campaigns will be organized for the villagers.
The members of the families getting the filters will be first trained on how to clean and take care
of the filter and its units. Also, awareness classes about unsafe water and its impact in the society
will be organized with the help of local health workers and medical doctors/nurses. Other social
organizations like Rotary clubs, Dhulikhel Hospital, Sponsoring NGOs/INGOs, local clubs and
women group will be involved in the project to operate it smoothly and to monitor the project for
the best output. The Project cost will be as follows:
S.N
Particulars
Rate (US $)
Quantity
Total (US $)
1
Filter Units
7.60
120
912
2
Trainings/Awareness
45
45
3.
E.coli Test
25
25
3
Transportation
60
1
60
4
Miscellaneous
93
1
108
Total
US $ 1150
The chart below shows the expected amount of funds sought from different organizations:
S.N
Organization
Expected Amount in $
1.
Kathmandu University
$400
2.
Rotary Clubs and other NGOs/INGOs
$400
3.
Local Villagers
$350
Chapter III
Conclusion
Expected Result:

Helps in providing safe, clean drinking water for their citizens.

Solves in long term water problem and can be solution for better water supply.

Advancements in low-cost ceramic water filter technology coupled with the pressing
need for clean drinking water offers an attractive business opportunity for local Nepali
entrepreneurs – especially local ceramists who have the resources and capability to
manufacture ceramic water filters.

This projects aims in shaping a better society through better health.

Project emphasizes on the use of the traditionally practiced and scientifically proved
method of safe drinking water program.

Approaches to create a disease free community with healthy citizens for a prosperous
nation.
Some Pictures:
Fig. Aquasif ceramic water filter
Fig: Disc Filter element used in the clay filter.
Fig: Ceramics filter units.