Rainfresh MP4U Gravity Filter

Product Description

The Rainfresh MP4U Gravity Filter is a tabletop filter produced by the Canadian company Envirogard Products Ltd. and distributed in disaster response scenarios by Global Medic. The filter setup consists of four silver-impregnated ceramic cartridges, two buckets, a spigot for dispensing water, a filter gauge, cleaning mesh, and the necessary hardware for installation. The user fills the top bucket with dirty water and lets the clean water pass through the filters and into the bottom bucket at a max flow rate of 3 liters per hour.

Target Regions

Worldwide

Target SDGs

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Market Suggested Retail Price

$135.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Envirogard Products Ltd. manufactures the ceramic filter cartridges, the buckets, spigots, and other components are manufactured separately and shipped together or obtained locally and assembled on-site.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Purifaaya, Caminos de Agua Ceramic filters, Tulip Table Top Filter, and Nazava Water Filter.

Manufacturing/Building Method

Intellectural Property Type

Trademarked

User Provision Model

Users can obtain the product from Global Medic when it is distributed during natural disasters, displacements, and in refugee or internally-displaced peoples camps. It is also available for sale online from Envirogard for $135.

Distributions to Date Status

Partner NGO Global Medic has distributed more than 25,800 RainFresh Gravity Water Filters in Lebanon, Haiti, Somalia, the Philippines, Nepal, Vanuatu, Sudan, Pakistan, and Cambodia.

Type of filter

Ceramic candle (cartridge) filter

Primary material of construction

Silver-impregnated ceramic

Additives

Manufacturer-specified flow rate (L/hr)

3 L

Bacteria reduction

6 (99.9999%)

Virus reduction

Unknown

Protozoa reduction

Log 3 reduction of protozoan cyst (such as cryptosporidium & Giardia)

Heavy metals and/or arsenic reduction

Unknown

Maximum recommended influent turbidity level (NTU)

<0.5

Effluent turbidity levels (NTU)

Unknown

Maintenance schedule

Scrub filter cartridges every 3-5 days

Manufacturer-specified lifetime volume (L)

15,140 L

Safe water storage integration

Design Specifications

The filter setup consists of four Envirogard 7300G silver-impregnated ceramic cartridges in an upper 25L bucket over a sealed bottom 25L bucket with a spigot for dispensing water. It comes with a filter gauge for measuring the end-of-life of the ceramic candle, cleaning mesh, and the necessary hardware and pictoral instruction manual for installation.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Available during distributions from the partner NGO or through contacting the manufacturer.

Replacement Components

The four Envirogard 7300G silver-impregnated ceramic filter cartridges must be replaced after filtering 15,000 L or 12 months. The upgraded 7500G filter cartridges with an activated carbon core for taste and odor reduction are available for sale in Canadian hardware stores or online in packs of four for $90 but may be available for cheaper from the distributing NGO.

Lifecycle

The four Envirogard 7300G silver-impregnated ceramic filter cartridges must be replaced after filtering 15,000 L or 12 months. The filter gauge is used after cleanings to measure wear on the ceramic filter and indicates end-of-life.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Rainfresh P2S siphon water filter units are designed to be affordable, mass-produced, easy to assemble and use, and last a family of five drinking 3 L/day each a full year.

Vetted Performance Status

Safety

No known safety risks if properly used and bottom bucket remains properly sealed against recontamination.

Complementary Technical Systems

None

Academic Research and References

None

Compliance with regulations

Rainfresh ceramic filter cartridges are tested and certified by CSA International to NSF53 for reduction of protozoa.

Evaluation methods

Laboratory testing with purified water seeded with microbiological contamination.

Other Information