Resource Development Partners International

The Ceramic Water Filter - Overview

Water in rural areas of Yunnan is usually contaminated with fecal material. This pollution leads to diarrhea and other health problems. While people sometimes drink tea or boiled water which can help to removal bacterial contamination, rural people usually enjoy drinking fresh -- not boiled -- water. When they do boil water, they need to cut down trees for firewood adding to deforestation problem and increasing their carbon foot print.

RDPI, following the methods of RDIC in Cambodia, has developed a small manufacturing facility just outside of Kunming and is producing ceramic water filters to help the rural poor have clean, safe water while not impacting the environment. For a mere 150 RMB a simple, yet effective filter that doesn't require electricity or the cutting down of trees to purify water can be purchased.

How does it work?

1. A specially constructed clay/ceramic pot is placed inside the top of a large water storage container.
2. Contaminated water is poured into the ceramic pot.
3. As the water seeps through the porous pot, nearly all of the impurities are removed.
4. Pure drinkable water is collected in the large water container.
5. Drink up!

Pros:

• Very inexpensive (~0.001 RMB/liter of water filtered over 5 years of use).
• Very easy to use.
• No electricity
• No need to change cartridges
• Removes all germs from water.
• Works with both rain water and surface water.
• Purifies 2-3 liters per hour.
• With good maintenance, the filter will last for 5 years.

Cons:

• Cannot remove arsenic or other heavy metals from water.
• Not time efficient for purifying large quantities of water.