The scope of the Slow Sand Filter Project focuses on implementing an effective water filtration system in areas with a lack of access to clean water, like in Cange, Haiti. In order to make this project cost effective the team aims to construct a system that is reliable and easily maintained. Slow sand filters are a known method of removing pathogens and other contaminants from water, therefore making it safe to drink. Our aim is to prove the effectiveness of this type of technology and to develop a way to build it using materials that can be easily found in Haiti. Along with the physical construction of a sustainable filtering system, research into implementation, and cost analysis, the team is also taking the day-to-day system maintenance into consideration. The maintenance required for slow sand filters is largely due to the layer of schmutzdecke, which is a biological layer that serves as the filter’s driving force in removing contaminants from water. Over time, as water flows in, solid particles will begin to clutter and block the flow of water through this layer, which is why the filter needs to be cleaned periodically. Since there are specifications on how to build and maintain our design of a slow sand filter, the team is developing a user manual, that will be simple to follow for future users. Along with this manual, the team is working towards proving the filters effectiveness in meeting the World Health Organizations standards of removing 99.9% of fecal coliforms. Ultimately, the team plans to empower citizens of developing countries like Haiti by means of access to clean water through a technology that is simple to build, easy to maintain, and proven to be effective at removing water-borne contaminants. With better access to clean water, previously constrained communities and individuals can begin to focus their time and efforts on personal and communal development.
