300 Liter per Day

Water Treatment System

 200  Liter  HDPE  (PlasGc)  Drums  
Select  drums  that  are  new,  or  used  for  transporGng  foodstuffs,  
Treatment  Flow  Diagram   soap,  or  other  benign  and  easy-­‐to-­‐clean  substances.  

1   2   3   4  

1  Gravel  Roughing   2  Slow  Sand   3  Biochar   4  Treated  Water  

Pre-­‐filter   Biofilter   Adsorber   Storage  
Gravity-­‐fed  water  supply  

To  point-­‐of-­‐use  
Gravel  Roughing  Pre-­‐Filtra7on  
Removes   sediment,   par0culate   organic   ma5er,   and  
some  microorganisms  
 
In   this   treatment   step,   water   flows   slowly   upward   through  
the   gravel   allowing   sediment   and   other   solid   maTer   to  
seTle   to   the   boTom   of   the   tank.   Some   harmful  
microorganisms  aTached  to  solid  parGcles  also  seTle  out.  
 
Maintenance:  Monthly  Backwashing  
At   least   once   per   month   open   the   large   valve   at   the  
boTom   of   the   tank   to   flush   out   the   accumulated   solids.  
Open   the   inlet   cleanout   valve   to   flush   out   sediment   that  

How  It  Works  

accumulates  in  low  areas  of  the  water  supply  pipe.  
 
Under   normal   condiGons   the   gravel   does   not   need   to   be  
replaced.  

DeforestaGon,  agriculture,  and  urban  development  can  increase  erosion  of  

soils  and  sediments,  especially  during  the  rainy  season.  
 Slow  Sand  Biofiltra7on  
Removes   fine   par0cles,   biodegradable   dissolved  
organic  ma5er,  and  microbial  pathogens  
 
In   this   treatment   step,   water   flows   downward   through   a  
bed  of  fine  sand.  Small  parGcles  are  removed  by  physical  
straining   and   some   pathogen   cells   are   removed   by  
adsorpGon   to   sand   grains.   Over   Gme   a   natural   biofilm   of  
beneficial  microorganisms  forms  in  the  top  1-­‐2  cm  of  the  
sand.   The   biofilm   removes   microbial   pathogens   by  
intercepGon,  compeGGon,  and  predaGon.  It  also  removes  
biodegradable   dissolved   organic   maTer,   including   some  
syntheGc  chemical  water  contaminants.  
How  It  Works  

 
Maintenance:  Filter  Harrowing  
Over  Gme,  as   the   biofilm   develops   and   fine   parGcles   seTle  
at   the   top   of   the   sand,   flow   rate   through   the   filter  
decreases.  To  restore  the  design  flow  rate,  gently  sGr  the  
water   above   the   sand   bed   suspending   some   of   the  
accumulated   sediment   and   biofilm.   Use   a   dipper   to  
Microbial  pathogens  (protozoa,  bacteria,  and  viruses)  can  live  in  water   remove   the   turbid   water,   allowing   sand   parGcles   with  
contaminated  by  human  and  animal  wastes.   aTached  biofilm  to  reseTle.  
Biochar  Adsorp7on  
Removes  organic  chemical  contaminants  
 
In   this   treatment   step,   water   flows   downward   through   a  
bed  of  crushed  biochar.  
 
Biochar   made   specially   for   water   treatment   (i.e.,   different  
than   common   cooking   charcoal)   is   a   highly   porous   material  
with   a   large   internal   surface   area.   Dissolved   chemical  
contaminants  are  drawn  into  fine  micro-­‐pores  where  they  
adsorb   onto   the   biochar   surface.   A   sparse   biofilm   of  
beneficial   microorganisms   also   lives   in   the   char.  
Mechanisms   of   adsorpGon   and   biodegradaGon   act   to  

How  It  Works  

remove  syntheGc  chemical  water  contaminants.*    
 
Maintenance:  Yearly  Biochar  Replacement  
Once   per   year   the   biochar   should   be   removed,   safely  
disposed  of,  and  replaced  with  fresh  crushed  char.  
 
*   Note:  
Not   all   syntheGc   organic   compounds   are   easily   adsorbed   or   Runoff  from  agriculture  and  industrial  areas  can  carry  pesGcides,  human  and  
readily   biodegraded   –   water   sources   impacted   by   such   contaminants  
should  be  avoided  where  possible.  
livestock  pharmaceuGcals,  and  other  syntheGc  chemicals.  Some  of  these  chemicals  
cause  cancer,  birth  defects,  endocrine  disrupGon,  and  organ  damage.  
 1  Inlet  valve  (½”)     11  Floater  string  housing  base  (2  x  1  ½”)  
2  Inlet  cleanout  valve  (½”)   12  Male  coupler  (1  ½”)  
3  Float  valve,  water  inlet  (½”)   13  Female  coupler  (1  ½”)  
4  Concrete  block  chamber     14  Backwash  valve  (1  ½”)  
Permits  unimpeded  verGcal  moGon  of  float  valve  arm.   15  Underdrain:  fist-­‐sized  stones,  gravel  
Make  a  1  ½”  dia.  hole  in  top  block  for  floater  string.   16  Nut  and  washer  (floater  string  aTachment)  
5  Floater  
Gravel  Roughing  Pre-­‐Filter  

17  Coarse  gravel  (10-­‐25  mm  dia.)  

6  Female  coupler  (½”)   18  Pea  gravel  (5-­‐10  mm  dia.)  
7  Male  coupler  (½”)   19  Bolt  and  washer  (floater  string  aTachment)  
8  Outlet  valve  (½”)  
9  Floater  string  housing  (1  ½”)  
10  Floater  string   54  cm   5  

5  
7,  8   6,  7,  8   10  cm  
19  
6   19  

20  cm  
18  
10  
90  cm  
9  
17   10  
25  cm  
11  

13,  14  
4  
12   25  cm   15  
2  
3   14  
3   12,  13  
16   12.5  cm   16  
1  
7.5  cm  
 21  

21   20   22  
22  
20   23  

24  

Tank  ConnecGons  
20  Elbow  juncGon  (½”)     25  Female  threaded  coupler  (½”)  
27   28   21  Outlet  valve  (½”)   26  Rubber  gasket  or  silicone  
22  Flexible  hose   27  Teflon  tape  
23  Tee  juncGon  (½”)   28  Male  threaded  coupler  (½”)  
25   24  Cleanout  valve  (½”)  
26   26  
Cut  holes  in  tanks  manually  with  a  pocket  knife,   Use   short   segments   of   ½”   PVC   pipe  
or   using   a   drill   and   hole   saws:   20   mm   for   ½”   to  connect  flexible  hose  to  fihngs.  
fihngs,  and  48  mm  for  1  ½”  fihngs.  

20,  21,  22  

20,  21,  22   20,  21,  22  

1  

21  

23,  24   23,  24  

Slow  Sand  Biofilter  &  Biochar  Adsorber  

SPECIFICATIONS  
1  Fine  sand    [  0.1-­‐2.5  mm  dia.  ]  
2  Crushed  biochar    [  1-­‐5  mm  dia.  ]   All   media   should   be   washed   very   well  

MEDIA  
3  Coarse  sand    [  2.5-­‐5  mm  dia.  ]   before   installaGon   in   order   to   eliminate  
“fines”  (powder,  silt,  rock  dust,  etc.).  
4  Pea  gravel    [  5-­‐10  mm  dia.  ]  
5  Coarse  gravel  [  10-­‐25  mm  dia.  ]  

10  cm  
25  cm  

biofilm  

1   2  
45  cm  

4  cm   3   3  
4   4  
7  cm   5   5   4  cm  
 6  Outlet  pipe  (½”  dia.  x  20  cm)  
7  Elbow  juncGon  (½”)    
8  Male  threaded  coupler  (½”)   6  
9  Female  threaded  coupler  (½”)  

Treated  Water  Storage  Tank  

10  Outlet  valve  (½”)  
9  
7  
This  height  difference  controls  
the  flow  rate  of  water  through  
6   the  treatment  system.  

25  cm  
20  cm  
The   maximum   flow   rate   through   the   system   is   limited   by   the   slow   sand  
7   biofilter.  
 The  sand  filter  uGlizes  the  finest  grain  size  media  and  so  provides  the  

8,  9   most  resistance  to  the  flow  of  water  through  the  treatment  system.  The  flow  
Do  not  glue   rate  is  highest  during  the  first  few  weeks  amer  iniGal  installaGon.  Over  Gme,  
these  fiLngs   as  the  biofilm  in  the  sand  filter  develops  (“ripens”),  the  flow  rate  decreases.  
The   flow   rate   will   also   vary   within   a   smaller   range   over   the   course   of   sand  
filter   maintenance   cycles.   The   rates   of   biofilm   ripening   amer   iniGal  
installaGon,  and  reestablishment  amer  filter  maintenance,  depend  upon  local  
climate   (average   and   high/low   daily   and   seasonal   temperature)   and   source  
water   quality   parameters   (such   as   dissolved   oxygen   and   organic   maTer  
content).  
 
The   system   flow   rate   is   controlled   by   adjusCng   the   outlet   pipe   in   the  
treated  water  storage  tank.  
  The  height  of  the  outlet  pipe  (6)  relaGve  to  the  waterline  when  the  

treated   water   storage   tank   is   full   sets   the   flow   rate   of   water   through   the  
treatment   system.   Adjust   the   angle   of   the   outlet   pipe   (6)   as   shown   to  
9,  8,  10   maintain   the   system   at   the   design   flow   rate   (300   L   per   day,   or   approx.   5  
minutes  per  liter).  

4  cm   Maintaining  the  system  flow  rate  at  100-­‐300  L/d  is  
important  for  opCmal  treatment  and  water  quality.  
 Install   the   system   on   a   sturdy,   level  
foundaGon   or   raised   plaporm.   Cover   tanks  
securely   using   string   and   fine   mesh   or  
plasGc   to   exclude   dust,   dirt,   leaves,   and  
pests.  Ensure  tanks  are  well  shaded.  
Plaporms  &  Shade  Structures    
Treatment  System  CondiConing   Tools    

Parts  &  Tools  List  |  System  CondiGoning  

   
Amer  installing  media  and  connecGng  plumbing   •  small  serrated  hand  saw  and  pocket  knife  for  removing  drum  lids  
1.  Fill  and  flush  the  gravel  tank  two  to  three  Gmes  to  rinse  the   and  making  holes  for  tank  fihngs  
media.     •  op0onal:  drill,  21  and  48  mm  dia.  hole  saws    
2.  Using  water  from  the  gravel  filter,  fill  and  flush  the  sand  tank   •  dish  soap  and  scrubber/brush    
two  to  three  Gmes,  or  unGl  the  water  comes  out  clear.    
•  feedbags  and  buckets  for  media  
3.  Use   water   from   the   sand   filter   to   fill   and   flush   the   biochar  
•  tape  measure,  pliers  
tank  two  Gmes.  Ensure  that  parGcles  of  sand  and  biochar  are  
not   being   passed   through   the   outlet   pipes   or   the   sand   or   •  magic  marker,  scissors    
biochar  tanks.    
4.  Using   water   from   the   char   tank,   fill   and   flush   the   water  
storage  tank  one  Gme.  
5.  To   condiGon   the   sand   biofilter   and   stabilize   the   treatment  
system,  fill  and  flush  the  water  storage  tank  once  per  day  for  
one   to   two   weeks   amer   installaGon.   This   water   can   be   used  
for   cooking   or   preparing   hot   beverages   but   should   not   be  
used  for  direct  consumpGon.  
 
FacilitaCng  biofilm  development  
  The   treatment   system   will   aTain   opGmal   performance  
when   the   biofilm   in   the   sand   filter   is   well   established.   Biofilm  
development  is  influenced  by  local  environmental  variables  such  
as   temperature   and   source   water   characterisGcs.   Warm  
temperatures   and   well   aerated   water   facilitate   biofilm  
development.  Biofilm  maturaGon  can  be  assisted  by  leaving  the  
sand   tank   exposed   to   sunlight   for   a   few   weeks   following   iniGal  
installaGon.  (A  1  mm  screen  should  be  used  as  a  cover  to  exclude  
dirt,   leaves,   and  debris.)   A   small   amount   of   photosyntheGc   algae  
will   grow   in   the   water   column   and   help   to   nourish   the   biofilm.  
When  the  biofilm  becomes  visible  on  the  top  of  the  sand,  cover  
the  tank  to  avoid  excess  algal  growth.  In  warm,  sunny  locales  this  
should  occur  within  two  to  three  weeks.  
 
OpCmal  system  performance  requires  conCnuous  flow  
 Ceasing  water  flow  through  the  system  for  long  periods  
(i.e.,   for   more   than   a   few   days   at   a   Gme)   will   deplete   dissolved  
oxygen   and   impair   water   quality   and   aestheGcs.   For   best  
treatment  results  the  system  should  be  used  conGnuously.  
300  L  per  Day  Water  Treatment  System  

Aqueous  SoluGons,  2016  

Images  by  N  Reents,  B  Deriemaeker  
G  Emidi,  P  Phuhual  

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