Biosand Water filters at South Lunzo Parish

Cecilia Stephens

Canadian partners from St John's Church in Calgary, Alberta, Canada are granting vital assistance to residents in South Lunzo parish where the local water often exhibits a high level of pollution.  A low tech and (comparatively ) low cost  mechanism to protect residents has been developed. This is the “Bio-sand” water filter housed in a simple concrete pillar that can be constructed and assembled locally and installed in the smallest home.  Once established in requires little maintenance and works by using local organic materials.  Parish priest Fr Raphael Mponda and assistant Steve have developed the skills to construct and install the filters.  Several are already in place and a few ready for installation in other parishes a locations where the water is of poor quality .   These pictures tell the story of how one filter was installed.  With thanks to the householder

the blue painted water filter is placed inside the house	getting it level
measuring depth of the first layer filtration material	adding water to settle the first layer
adding the next layer	gravel for the base layer
adding the final layer	the water starts to flow...optimum level achieved
water quality above the filter	and after filtration