From the Tool Box

As many of you are aware Amos Meeks and others have started a Makers Guild. I joined the guild a bit over a week ago. It has been decided that we are going to create a “Tool Box” page. This page will contain links for already existing technology. I am going to try to do a short “From the Tool Box” article each week which will be appropriate for each week’s topic. (Now watch TPB make world conflict next weeks topic. ;) )

Because this week we are dealing with the topic of clean water the topic of FtTB will be on:

BioSand Filters.

BSF’s are easily made highly efficient purifiers/ filters. There is a difference between a Purifier and a Filter. A filter screens out critters such as Cryptosporidium, Giardia lamblia (North America) and the all time favorite E. coli. Filters will not eliminate viruses though. Generally a chemical is used to eliminate any kind of viral threat. In extreme conditions chemicals such as bleach or iodine may be in short supply. Enter the BSF. In a nutshell, the filter is filled with sand. As the water is poured over the top of the sand it pa**** an active biological layer (Schmutzdecke) that begins to feed on some of the micro organisms. As the water continues toward the bottom of the filter, much of the viruses attach or bind with the grains of sand where they are attacked by naturally occurring anti-viral compounds created by the Schmutzdecke. After the water pa**** through the bottom of the filter, it flows upward through a pipe and is taken off by the end user.

The BSF is a simple to build, simple to use method of efficiently making water potable.

Here are some helpful links:

BioSand Filter, org Check out the download section for great PDFs o....

Bushproof A for profit company that works with many NGO’s in many locations

CMS-UK Another org. that builds BSF’s as part of their mission work.