FAQ’s
Q: What is a Colloidal Silver Impregnated Ceramic Water Filter (CWF)?
A: A simple clay filter, incoporating the microbiological inhibiting properties of colloidal silver. Ceramic Water Filters are devices that can be made by local potters and sold cheaply to people in rural areas. The filters remove bacteria including E-Coli and vibrio-cholera, as well as giardia, streptococcus, total coliforms and cryptosporidium. With proper cleaning, maintenance, and monitoring this filter technology can provide potable water for families that draw their water from unreliable sources.(springs, rivers, or wells)
Q. How does the Ceramic Water Filter work?
A. The clay filter element is set in a clay or plastic receiving vessel, which proects the filter element from damage and stores the purified water. One pours dirty contaminated water into the filter and the water filters down through the tiny microscopic pores in the clay. The pore size is made larger with the addition of an organic burnout material (sawdust, rice husk), which allows the water to flow through at a rate of 1.5 to 2.6 liters an hour sufficient drinking water for a family of four for a day.
Q. How long does the Ceramic Water Filter last?
A. This question depends on many factors. How clean the water being poured into the filter is the main one. If the the water appears muddy then the filter will not last long unless proper care is taken. If the water is prescreened through a cloth to elliminate the dirt and debri then the less dirt going into the filter the better. According to Ron Rivera who answered this question for me he said tests have been made on filters being used for as long as two years and still were effective in filtering out harmful bacteria. In general most filters can be used between 1 and 2 years depending on the quality of the input water.
Q. What bacteria does the filter elliminate?
A. The filters remove bacteria including e-coli and vibrio-cholera as well as giardia, streptococcus, total coli forms and cryptosporidium.
Q. Who originally developed the Ceramic Water Filter?
A. The filter was developed in Guatemala in 1981 by Dr. Fernando Mazariegos of the Central American Industrial Research Institute.
Q. How do I care for my Ceramic Water Filter?
A. When you first get your CWF you should sterilize the receiving vessel, a little bleach and lots of water will do. If your water is very muddy run it through a cloth to remove dirt and leaves etc. run the water through the filter once and throw the initial water out and add water for the second time. Keep the lid on the filter at all times and do not touch the tap where the water comes out as bacteria on your hands (especially when you have not washed them) will contaminate the water.
Q: How are ceramic-silver (filtron) water filters made?
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A: The process for making the filter is as follows:
1. 60 percent dry pulverized clay (including brick scraps that are not acceptable to bricklayers) and 40 percent screened sawdust are mixed together in a mixer.
2. Water is added to the mix to obtain the correct consistency.
3. The filters are then formed by hand, turned on a potter’s wheel, or press-molded. In the Managua factory, filters are press molded using a 10-ton hydraulic jack.
4. Filters are fired at 887 degrees centigrade in a brick kiln using wood scraps from industry as the fuel source.
5. Filters are allowed to cool.
6. Filters are soaked for 24 hours to saturate the filter before flow testing.
7. The flow rate of each filter is tested to ensure a rate of between one and two liters per hour – filters outside this range are discarded.
8. Filters are allowed to dry again.
9. 2 mL of 3.2 percent colloidal silver in 250 mL of filtered water are applied with a brush to each filter.
10. Filters are dried and sold.
I have another FAQ:
How does the filtron or ceramic water filter work?
I have another question. Does anyone know how long the filters last? Do they need to be cleaned or decontaminated? If so, how?
a study will be released soon which addresses yor first question directly. It is a compilation of four years of data gathering, the oldest test group available. I think it is from thailand or cambodia… we will get somebody to let us know when it arrives… anyhow. It seems like the filter which was intended for use for up to a year, sometimes lasts for four.
as far as the cleaning and decontamination… i believe the method is outlined in an instructional video which I will post here. It involves cleaning the filter and recepticle with mildly chlorinated water, regularly… lets get the info up shall we.
k.
Found a good link to a “Using the filtron” presentation.
shows how to clean it too.
http://www.bidnetwork.org/attachment-30630-en.html
@Diana
Depending on how turbid the water is filters can last up to two years. If the water is turbid then a cloth can be used to pre-filter the water. The filter should be cleaned by using a little bit of chlorine bleach and a scrub brush to un clog the pores.