Entrepreneurial development aid

After a process of testing several types of drinking water filters in Bangladesh, three new filter systems were set up in the village of Jalalpur.  We are now able to inform you that these are running properly. The levels of bacterial contamination and arsenic are reduced to below the guideline values as established by WHO (World Health Organization).

The goal of the project is improving the quality of drinking water in Bangladesh by use of arsenic filters. The NIAS (NOTS Integrated Arsenic Solution) system consists of an arsenic filter capable of cleaning enough drinking water for several families. The system has been tested extensively by PRIDE, our local partner in Bangladesh. During the process of testing, the design was adapted repeatedly to optimize costs and efficiency and so evolved into the present filter system. The system consists of a steel frame carrying three tanks of 300 litre each, placed vertically above each other. In the morning, the topmost tank is filled with 300 litre of contaminated water, straight out of the pump. During the day, many of the solid particles in the water settle on the bottom.  In the evening a tap is opened, allowing water to flow into the second tank. In this second tank, the water is separated from the arsenic during the night by a filter based on activated aluminium. Bacterial contamination is reduced by use of activated carbon. The next morning, the tank at the bottom is filled with 300 litre of clean drinking water, enough for 12 families.