- The flowerpot-like filters are made with a mixture of local clays and combustible material, such as rice husks or sawdust.
- The combustible material burns off when the clay is fired, leaving a network of tiny pores that filter out sediment, bacteria, and parasites, while allowing water to trickle through.
- The filter is further treated by applying colloidal silver nanoparticles that have antimicrobial properties.
- The pot is set into the top of a plastic barrel, which is fitted with a spigot at the bottom to dispense the water.
- One filter can produce enough clean water daily to serve the needs of a large family.
- They’ve been shown to reduce microbial contamination in water by 98 percent, leading to a more than two-thirds decrease in diarrheal disease among families using them.
Ghana's $6 locally-sourced water filter
— By Janet Fang on January 1, 2014, 8:43 PM PST
One of the best kept secrets is that the same silver that provides antimicrobial properties in the filter described above can be used to reduce and even eliminate harmful chlorine sanitizers in pools and hot tubs. We've been selling them for over 31 years!