EAWAG System

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

EAWAG - Swiss-based and internationally active research institute within the ETH domain (Swiss Federal Institute of Science and Technology)

Manufacturing/Building Method

Large scale production was slated for June 2013

Intellectural Property Type

Trade Secret

User Provision Model

Purchase directly from the manufacturer

Distributions to Date Status

24 as of May, 2011. Distribution of 3000-5000 systems within a carbon credit project in Uganda and Kenya was slated for 2013 by scaling up the production.

Design Specifications

In gravity-driven membrane (GDM) technology, no backflushing or cleaning is used. Pressure necessary to press water through the membranes is generated by gravity, which is generated by difference of water levels between two storage tanks. As a feed, natural water (river, spring, well or rainwater) can be used without pre- or post-treatment. BIO-CEL® membrane sheets with a pore size of 40 nm are placed vertically inside the membrane tank. The sheets are manufactured by Microdyn-Nadir  and are usually employed in membrane bioreactors for wastewater treatment. Although turbid waters can also be used, a pretreatment is required if the water becomes extremely turbid (> 500 NTU). The clean water tank has dimensions for a total volume of 10 liters, the membrane tank has dimensions for 20 liters.

Technical Support

Minimal training is needed, but programs don't exist as yet. Maintenance of the filter unit comprises regular cleaning of the tap in order to avoid contamination. Also, a regular surveillance of the clean water tank is needed in order to avoid overflow.

Replacement Components

Unknown.

Lifecycle

Expected life span 5-8 years (This has not yet been tested)

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

48 L of safe drinking water per day only with 0.5 m^(2) of membrane, which is sufficient to cover drinking water needs of a family. The Kenya trials were conducted with household filter prototypes with a target capacity of 2-5 L per hour. GDM systems can be operated with turbid water (up to 100 NTU) or high organic matter content (including diluted wastewater with a TOC of about 12 mg/L). Membranes used in GDM systems entirely remove protozoa and bacteria, and preliminary data shows 99.99 % retention of viruses

Vetted Performance Status

Unknown

Safety

Field observations  are strongly indicating high recontamination factors linked with maintenance and unsanitary conditions.

Complementary Technical Systems

Redesigning of the tap might help prevent recontamination risks

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

WHO Guidelines 2011 for drinking-water quality have been cited in this report.