Tunsai (Rabbit) Ceramic Water Purifier

Target Countries

Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Yemen

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$39.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Distributions are mostly carried out through NGO channels and a network of retailers. Hydrologic also distributes the product when it is acquired as a direct sale from a Micro-Finance Institution (MFI).

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Ekofil filter, Ceramic Filter UTP, EcoFiltro, Stéfani Filtro Flex, Arcifiltro, and Silver Filter.

Manufacturing/Building Method

The product is locally manufactured in bulk. The materials are also sourced locally. First clay and rice husk are processed and mixed with water, then the resulting mix is pressed into the filter shape and fired to a ceramic state. The ceramic product’s flow rate is tested to ensure product consistency. Finally, the product is coated with a silver nitrate solution to prevent microbiological growth within the filter and increase bacterial removal efficacy.

Intellectural Property Type

Open Source

User Provision Model

Users can obtain filters through a network of 600 retail centers throughout Cambodian provinces and the direct sales network, as a donation from an NGO channel or by applying to a loan from Hydrologic’s Micro-Finance Institution (MFI) partners.

Distributions to Date Status

As of 2020, over 450,000 units have been sold.

Design Specifications

Tunsai Ceramic Water Purifier consists of a porous 10 L ceramic filtering element that suspends in a food-grade, a pigment-free plastic receptacle that stores and dispenses filtered water. Specifications: The filter membrane weighs 4.6 kg. The flow rate is 2-3 L/hr when full.

Product Schematics

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

The average service life of a filter in day-to-day use has been measured as 2 years. The plastic receptacle and spigot last for five years. Lifespan depends on the quality of the input water and the care taken to avoid breakage.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

This filter was designed to remove bacteria by 99.99% and have a flow rate of 2-3 liter per hour. Designer specifies this product is a scientifically proven technology that is tested quarterly by a certified laboratory with international standards; is a fast, cheap and easy drinking water solution; and is trusted by more than 100,000 families in Cambodia.

Vetted Performance Status

Testing performed by  WaterSHED confirmed effectiveness in supplying water with less than 10 E. coli bacteria per 100 mL.

Safety

This filter cannot remove arsenic or other chemical contaminants from water. As a result, this is not a good device for arsenic-contaminated well water (it is best used in Cambodia for rain and surface water).

Complementary Technical Systems

None

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

Unknown

Evaluation methods

The product is evaluated for removal of turbidity and bacteria in a certified laboratory established by the UN named WasterSHED.

Other Information

Ashden Award winner 2012