Agriculture
December 7, 2023
Nazava Water Filter
Read SolutionImplemented by
Nazava
Updated on December 13, 2023
·Created on May 27, 2016
The Silver Filter is a type of ceramic water purifier enhanced with colloidal silver.
Silver Filters are silver enhanced ceramic ‘pot’ water filters for household drinking water treatment. This filter was first developed in 1981 by Dr. Fernando Mazariegos of the Central American Industrial Research Institute (ICAITI) in Guatemala and is now promoted by Potters for Peace (PFP), a USA based nonprofit organization. These filters are low-tech and low-cost water filters that eliminate approximately 99.88% of water-born disease agents at the flow rate of 1-3 L/h.
Target SDGs
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
SDG 1: No Poverty
Target Users (Target Impact Group)
Household
Distributors / Implementing Organizations
This product is mainly implemented by Potters for Peace but is distributed worldwide by organizations such as the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, Doctors Without Borders, UNICEF, Plan International, Project Concern International, Oxfam and USAID.
Competitive Landscape
Direct competitors include Ekofil filter, Ceramic Filter UTP, EcoFiltro, Stéfani Filtro Flex, and Arcifiltro.
Manufacturing/Building Method
This product is locally made and is mass-produced in local target regions, identified by Potters for Peace. The building materials of this product includes locally sourced clay and sawdust. These are then later mixed with water, pressed into the filter shape, and fired to gain a ceramic state. Finally, the flow rates are tested to ensure the product consistency and at last coated with silver nitrate solution.
Intellectural Property Type
Open-source
User Provision Model
Users can obtain Silver Filters at retail stores or from distributing organizations.
Distributions to Date Status
Unknown
Type of filter
Ceramic pot filter
Primary material of construction
Filters are manufactured with clay, sawdust and silver nitrate.
Additives
There is a potential for silver in filtered water, below secondary guideline values of 0.1 mg/L
Manufacturer-specified flow rate (L/hr)
1.5-3.0 L/hr when full
Bacteria reduction
2 log
Virus reduction
Unknown
Protozoa reduction
Unknown
Heavy metals and/or arsenic reduction
Uknown
Maximum recommended influent turbidity level (NTU)
5 NTU
Effluent turbidity levels (NTU)
99% turbidity removal
Maintenance schedule
Scrub filter when flow rate slows.
Manufacturer-specified lifetime volume (L)
~20,000 L
Safe water storage integration
~10 Liters
Design Specifications
Silver Filters consist of a porous 10 L capacity ceramic filtering element that suspends in a 30-liter plastic or ceramic receptacle that stores and dispenses filtered water. The flow rate is 1.5-3.0 liters per hour when full.
Technical Support
There is no technical support provided and users are expected to maintain the product on their own by scrubbing ceramic filter element with a brush.
Replacement Components
Replaceable components include the tap for dispensing water, safe storage containers, and ceramic filtering elements.
Lifecycle
Until it breaks, approximately 2 years.
Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters
This filter was designed to removes bacteria, parasites, and turbidity. Manufacturers specify these filters are low-tech and low-cost and eliminate approximately 99.88% of water-born disease agents.
Vetted Performance Status
Unknown
Safety
No known safety hazards are related to this product.
Complementary Technical Systems
Screen mesh or cloth as a pre-filter
Academic Research and References
Donachy, B., 2011, Summaries of Reports and Studies of the Ceramic Water Purifier (CWP): A Colloidal Silver (CS) Impregnated Ceramic Water Filter. Retrieved Dec, 6, p.2014.
Hagan, J.M et al., 2009. Resource development international-Cambodia ceramic water filter handbook. EWB Australia. Phnom Penh Cambodia.
Van Halem, D., 2006, Ceramic silver impregnated pot filters for household drinking water treatment in developing countries.
Lantagne, D.S., 2001, Investigation of the Potters for Peace colloidal silver impregnated ceramic filter. Report, 1, p.79.
“Filter factory locations,” Potters. Available: https://www.pottersforpeace.org/filter-factory-locations
“Ceramic water filter project,” Potters. Available: https://www.pottersforpeace.org/ceramic-water-filter-project
Goal 6. (n.d.). Sdgs.un.org. Available: https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal6
Mit.edu. Available: https://web.mit.edu/watsan/Docs/Other%20Documents/ceramicpot/PFP-Report1-Daniele%20Lantagne,%2012-01.pdf
F. Odyniec, “Ceramic water filters help prevent illness worldwide,” Available: https://www.communityhealthmagazine.com/mind_and_body/physical_health/ceramic-water-filters-help-prevent-illness-worldwide/article_3ee51a10-47a5-11e6-b41b-834141c7536f.html
“Results of round II of the WHO international scheme to evaluate household water treatment technologies,” Who.int. Available: https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/325896/9789241516037-eng.pdf?Ua=1
Compliance with regulations
This filter does not comply with WHO for the reduction of viruses, therefore, are unlikely to achieve a performance classification higher than one-star.
Evaluation methods
Field evaluations by Care International and Social Fund for Development.
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