Despite Covid-19 and these uncertain times, we're still in operation to serve you.
​
WATEROAM
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Our Impact
    • Our Highlights
  • Products
    • ROAMfilter™ Plus
    • ROAMfilter™ Ultra
    • ROAMfilter™ Mini
    • Water Test Kits
    • Homefilter Faucet
  • Solutions
    • Disaster Relief
    • Rural Development
  • Resources
    • Product FAQs
    • Product Video Tutorials
  • Get Involved
    • Support Myanmar
    • Play a Part
    • Support Us
    • Corporate Giving
  • Blog
    • The Global Water Situation
    • Facts about Water
    • Info on our Products
    • Impact Stories
    • Upcoming & Past Events
  • Contact
    • Wateroam HQ
    • Distributors
  • Store
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Our Impact
    • Our Highlights
  • Products
    • ROAMfilter™ Plus
    • ROAMfilter™ Ultra
    • ROAMfilter™ Mini
    • Water Test Kits
    • Homefilter Faucet
  • Solutions
    • Disaster Relief
    • Rural Development
  • Resources
    • Product FAQs
    • Product Video Tutorials
  • Get Involved
    • Support Myanmar
    • Play a Part
    • Support Us
    • Corporate Giving
  • Blog
    • The Global Water Situation
    • Facts about Water
    • Info on our Products
    • Impact Stories
    • Upcoming & Past Events
  • Contact
    • Wateroam HQ
    • Distributors
  • Store

Water Facts

Our Blog / Water Facts / Current Page

10 Simple life-saving methods for water purification (Part 2)

30/7/2019

45 Comments

 
A smilin girl collecting clean and safe water from a portable water filter, the ROAMfilter Plus
In our previous post, we shared about 5 water purification methods that you can use to obtain clean drinking water.
​
We know that you are thirsty for more, so here are 5 more low-cost water treatment methods that will prove useful in rural areas.

Summary

Comparing the effectiveness of removing pathogens, suspended solids and dissolved between various water treatment processes

Ceramic Filter

A ceramic filter that can be used to treat water in households, providing improved water
Slowly but surely, I’m filtering your water
​Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/518125132109352567/?lp=true​
Ceramic filters are commonly used in remote parts of the world to treat water in households. A ceramic filter has fine micro-pores that can mechanically remove suspended particles when water flows through it via gravity.
​
The filter may be coated with colloidal silver, which acts as a disinfectant to kill pathogens. However, the filter can be clogged easily, especially if the inlet water is turbid. While the inner surface of the ceramic filter can be scrubbed to remove the impurities trapped, this maintenance method is limited in its effectiveness.
Advantage
Drawback
- Low cost
- No electricity required
- Materials could be sourced locally



- Low flow rate and long wait time (over-night)
- Disinfection is not complete
- Inconsistent quality of output water
- Heavy and not portable
- Brittle material and heavy weight make it vulnerable to breakages

Bio-sand Filter

A bio-sand filter is made up of sand and gravel, using a mechanical and biological process to treat contaminated water
I have a highly layered personality…I mean structure
Source:
https://www.cawst.org/services/expertise/biosand-filter/more-information
Bio-sand filter has the advantage of material simplicity and is typically made up of sand and gravel. It utilizes a mechanical and biological process to treat the water.

The microorganisms establish a community on the top layer of sand (biofilm) and cleans the water by “eating” the organic and inorganic particles as it flows through the system. Due to insufficient oxygen in the middle of the filter, most microbes will only grow on the top layer of sand, keeping it safely separated from the effluent (out-put) water.

A well-built bio-sand filter is typically able to remove about 98 to 99% of bacteria and protozoa, but is less effective for viruses and is unable to remove dissolved contaminants such as salts, arsenic and fluoride.

The removal of organic and inorganic particles through biofilm may be limited as biochemical reduction is highly dependent on the contact time and density of the biofilm; increasing both factors will also reduce the flow rate of the filter.
​

Maintenance can be tricky as the filter may stop working when the biofilm becomes too thick and dense. To recover the system, scrape away the top few centimeters of sand to reduce the thickness of the biofilm. 
Advantage
Drawback
- Easy to operate
- Can be built from locally available materials
- Relatively low capital cost
- Able to reduce some level of organic and inorganic particles



- Installation is manpower intensive
- Not portable and difficult to transport
- Disinfection is not complete
- Inconsistent reduction of organic and inorganic particles, which is highly dependent on contact time and thickness of biofilm
- Requires that the filter be used on a regular basis to maintain the biofilm

Boiling

Boiling water to remove biological pathogens
Hot.
Source: https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/why-does-water-bubble-when-it-boils
Boiling is an effective method to destroy most biological pathogens and most of us still boil our water even if we have other water treatment solutions.

​The water should be brought to a rolling boil for at least 5 minutes and preferably up to a period of twenty minutes. Longer boiling time is needed at higher elevations to ensure all the pathogens are destroyed.

Prior filtration is usually needed because any particles in the water can provide a hiding place for bacteria, protecting them from the heat. Basically, brown water remains brown, even after intense boiling.

Boiling can affect the taste of water due to the loss of oxygen in it. The taste can be improved by re-oxygenizing it through vigorously stirring or shaking the water. 
Advantage
Drawback
- Simple
- Effective in removing biological pathogen for clear water


- Energy intensive (need fuel or electricity)
- Time-consuming
- Boiling affects the taste of water
- Does not remove colloidal or suspended particles
  Sign up for our newsletter!
  Thank you for Signing Up
  Please correct the marked field(s) below.
1,false,1,Last Name,2
1,true,6,Lead Email,2
1,false,1,First Name,2

Chlorination

Dissolving chlorine tablets in water is a low-cost and effective way to destroy biological pathogens
Staying behind for residual disinfection
​Source: https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/effervescent-tablets-in-water-high-res-stock-photography/594844889
Chlorination is the most common disinfection method used in water treatment plants and in our swimming pools. Chlorine is widely used because it is relatively low-cost and effective in destroying biological pathogens.

It is most commonly available in the form of liquid bleach (sodium hypochlorite) and chlorine tablets. The active component in chlorine disinfectant is the hypochlorite ion (OCL-), which oxidizes the cellular structure of germs and kills them in the process.

For untreated water with low turbidity, dosing the water with appropriate amounts of chlorine and giving the hypochlorite ions a minimum contact time of 30 minutes can improve the quality of water tremendously.

Chlorination works for most pathogens with the exception of some protozoa due to their protective cysts (thick outer shell). To ensure potability (drinkability), the protozoa needs to be removed by other means such as filtration.

​The dosage of chlorine also needs to be adjusted appropriately to ensure proper disinfection. Too little chlorine may result in incomplete disinfection while too much chlorine may affect the water's taste.
Advantage
Drawback
- Low cost
- Chlorine ions stays in water for prolonged periods, ensuring residual disinfection



- Ineffective for water with high turbidity
- Requires constant resupply
- May create bad “chemical” taste
- Challenging to determine dosage
- Long wait time (at least 30min contact time with appropriate dosage)

Solar Disinfection

A lady placing bottles of clear water laid on a roof for solar disinfection to remove contamination from water
Sun day fun day
Source: https://www.scidev.net/global/water/news/mistrust-slows-spread-solar-disinfection-tech.html
Solar disinfection (SODIS) is a simple and effective way to kill microorganisms in water. The only materials needed are transparent bottles and sunshine, which can be obtained easily,

SODIS uses heat and ultraviolet (UV) radiation to destroy pathogens. However, the water has to be clear because suspended solid particles can block the UV rays and reduce its effectiveness.
​

The water should be exposed to strong sunlight for about five hours to destroy all pathogens. But i
f the water temperature rises to 50°C, the exposure period can be shortened to one hour.
Steps to remove water contamination through solar disinfection
Source: https://bluesolarcity.com/guide-solar-disinfection-sodis/
Advantage
Drawback
- Easy to use
- Low cost
- Effective and reliable





- Ineffective for water with high turbidity
- Long wait time up to 5 hours
- Low volume treated at one time
- Harmful chemicals may leach when the plastic bottles are heated up
- Not suitable for regions with intermittent sun exposure, high cloud cover or low temperatures

Ultrafiltration (by ROAMfilter™ Plus)

A man pumping out clean drinking water, using Wateroam's ROAMfilter Plus
1L of water in seconds!
Ultrafiltration (UF) is a process that physically separates microscopic particles from the water based on the principle of size-exclusion. UF removes essentially all colloidal particles (0.01 to 1.0 microns) from water and some of the largest dissolved contaminants. 

The ROAMfilter™ Plus is a water filtration system that is specifically made for disaster and rural development areas. The filter is designed to be safe, simple and swift.

Safe because our technology utilizes 0.02-micron pore membranes, capable of removing bacteria and viruses.

Simple because it works exactly like a bicycle pump, making it easy to operate and maintain  without electricity. 

And Swift because at a light weight of 3 kg, it can be easily carried over any terrain and deployed to produce more than 200 litres of clean water per hour.
Advantage
Drawback
- Safe: Ultrafiltration membrane removes 99.9999% of bacteria and 99.99% of viruses

- Simple: Intuitive design operated by a hand pump mechanism; no electricity is required. Easy maintenance

- Swift: Only 3 kg in weight, you can carry it over any terrain

- Durable: Replaceable filter cartridge lasts 2 years

- Efficient: With a flow rate of 200L/Hr, it can serve up to 100 people
- Requires complementary solutions to remove chemicals and heavy metals













Missed Part 1 of this article? ​

​Check out 10 simple life-saving methods for water purification (Part 1) to catch up on what you missed!
A happy, middle-aged man obtaining improved drinking water from a community water filter
 
10 Simple life-saving methods for water purification (Part 1)
Read Now
 
​​Did you know, 525,000 children under 5 die from diarrhoeal diseases every year? Millions more fall ill  due to water-borne diseases caused by the lack of access to clean drinking water.
A young and happy child enjoying clean drinking water from Wateroam's portable water filter, the ROAMfilter Plus
​Your contribution will support our efforts to provide a clean, safe and stable supply of drinking water for those who need it most in the world.
​
​Will you join us on our journey to end prolonged thirst?
Please select the drop-down for other amounts
I want to make a one-off contribution to support
I want to make a monthly contribution to support
​*Please refer below for terms and conditions

Let's build a world without prolonged thirst together!

A happy school boy drinking safe and clean drinking water from the ROAMfilter Plus
Wateroam works with Sponsors & Champions to provide clean drinking water access. Through complementing one another's strengths, we are able to maximise our resources and increase social impact.

Sponsors provide resource support to empower Champions to deploy clean drinking water. Champions are those on the ground, actively working with communities in need of clean water.

By working together, we can reach out rapidly to the 633 million people globally without safe water access. Visit our Get Involved section to learn how you can play a role!

​
Blog Author: Ze Yong Yeoh
45 Comments
Luis Pereira Castro
14/5/2021 01:57:56 pm

Thanks sharing this informative article. I trust a reliable <a href="https://thescienceofwater.com/"> Dealer of Puronics water treatment and filtration systems </a>. for the wellness of my family.

Reply
alfred link
2/9/2021 12:28:30 pm

great

Reply
piolo link
2/9/2021 12:32:17 pm

nice work

Reply
rin link
2/9/2021 05:23:41 pm

ayos

Reply
jan link
3/9/2021 07:02:41 am

lakas

Reply
mike link
3/9/2021 03:11:10 pm

nice

Reply
levi link
4/9/2021 08:08:30 am

goodjobe

Reply
jade link
4/9/2021 01:24:54 pm

ilove it

Reply
ling link
4/9/2021 04:45:25 pm

ilike it

Reply
yoru link
6/9/2021 08:55:21 am

beautiful

Reply
jhin link
6/9/2021 12:22:56 pm

These are great tips,

Reply
luis link
7/9/2021 11:43:40 am

Thank you for sharing

Reply
josh link
8/9/2021 08:14:58 am

Incredible blog posts

Reply
asta link
9/9/2021 08:38:59 am

Very Nice And Interesting Post!!

Reply
jimmy link
10/9/2021 08:56:03 am

good information

Reply
hanna link
11/9/2021 08:23:46 am

In a single article you have explained quite well

Reply
miya link
13/9/2021 07:44:08 am

amizing zrticle <3

Reply
vale link
13/9/2021 11:07:15 am

this is good!

Reply
deku link
14/9/2021 08:26:49 am

great blog here

Reply
nicos link
15/9/2021 12:21:43 pm

i think this is such a good work.

Reply
tina link
16/9/2021 08:11:25 am

Great explanation

Reply
sarah link
18/9/2021 08:16:17 am

I enjoyed this nice article

Reply
jay link
18/9/2021 10:07:39 am

ganda ng pagkaka paliwanag

Reply
carlo link
21/9/2021 09:17:22 am

nice and cool blog thank for good ditaile.

Reply
Darrel link
22/9/2021 10:55:05 am

Clean water, the quintessence of life and an inheritance for everybody, should open up to all individuals now.

Reply
clint link
23/9/2021 09:15:28 am

Thank you for sharing great blog here

Reply
yesha link
24/9/2021 09:06:28 am

Additionally your website lots up tips.....

Reply
james link
25/9/2021 08:48:38 am

Great blog! I am glad I found your blog I love this one.

Reply
nami link
25/9/2021 11:16:54 am

sounds like a fun

Reply
jona link
28/9/2021 07:20:53 am

It begs the question, why is this happening? Theories?

Reply
lyka link
29/9/2021 07:30:25 am

Thankful for this project

Reply
kurt link
29/9/2021 10:31:53 am

ove seeing and hearing

Reply
emma link
30/9/2021 07:37:24 am

your article helped me a lot.....

Reply
Braden Bills link
30/9/2021 10:36:31 pm

I want to make sure that my home has clean water. It makes sense that I would want to get a home purification system for this. I'll work with a professional to help me out with this.

Reply
kenan link
1/10/2021 07:58:47 am

Good point about the article.

Reply
rina link
4/10/2021 11:03:33 am

nice this a goodd article...ayos

Reply
dave link
5/10/2021 09:05:49 am

It’s actually a nice and useful piece of information.

Reply
joyce link
5/10/2021 10:43:29 am

I have read so many posts

Reply
loisa link
5/10/2021 11:34:22 am

It’s actually a nice and useful piece of information.I have read so many posts

Reply
Omaha Well Drilling & Treatment Services link
5/10/2021 08:50:42 pm

One of the disadvantages is harmful chemicals may leach when the plastic bottles are heated up.

Reply
Value Market Research link
28/12/2021 02:59:29 am

According to Value Market Research, the latest technology trends and global market opportunity analysis in the Water Filter Market industry growing with a high CAGR in the upcoming year. Our report has categorized the market based on technology, service, development, vertical and region. https://www.valuemarketresearch.com/report/water-filter-market

Reply
sam link
7/1/2022 07:12:45 pm

Very Informative post. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.
<b><a><a href="https://www.ampac1.com/" title= "water purification system">water purification system</a></b>

Reply
Mia Evans link
21/1/2022 11:26:12 am

Thanks for pointing out that a well-built bio-sand filter would be able to remove 98 to 99% of bacteria and protozoa. I will consider this for the water treatment system we plan to have in our home while we still look for other options we can choose from. I just need to make sure that the water is safe for us to use or probably consume, since we have a baby now for the first time. That is the reason why we have been making changes in our home to ensure that our baby's health is protected from any accidents or contaminants in everything around the house.

Reply
John Carston link
9/8/2022 09:52:51 am

I'm glad that you talked that 98 to 99% of bacterias could be removed and eliminated with the use of filter treatments. The other day, my brother mentioned that he and his wife were hoping to find a home water treatment that could supply health-safe water in their home to prevent health concerns, and he asked if I had any idea what would be the best option to consider. I love this instructive article, I'll tell him that it will be much better if he consults a home water treatment service as they can help provide more details about home water process.

Reply
Steve Smith link
13/1/2023 06:49:42 pm

I like what you said that filters are used to remove dirt and unhealthy substance on your water. Yesterday, my cousin informed me he and his wife intend to have a water softener in their home for safe drinking water. He asked if I had any recommendations for the best option. I'll tell him consulting a water softener service is much better because they can answer all their concerns. I’m grateful for this instructive article.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Want more?

    ​Click below to see what other blog topics might peak your interest
    View all blogs
      Thank you for Signing Up
    Please correct the marked field(s) below.
    Join our newsletter!
    1,true,6,Contact Email,2 1,false,1,First Name,2 1,false,1,Last Name,2

    Water Facts
    ​Blog Archives

    August 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    July 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019

Add Impact to Your Inbox

Please correct the marked field(s) below.
  Thank you for Signing Up
By providing your information, you agree to receive newsletter emails from Wateroam
1,true,6,Contact Email,2 1,false,1,First Name,2 1,false,1,Last Name,2

Explore

Site Map
Distributorship
Rewards Program

About Us

​​Press
​Awards
​Events

​Resources

All Products
Disclaimer 
Privacy Policy

​

Contact

Wateroam HQ
Find a Distributor






​

Copyright © 2020 Wateroam Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved   
*Wateroam is a social enterprise that works with both international and local partners to provide better access to safe drinking water around the world. Givers’ contributions directly support Wateroam in growing our efforts in providing rural and disaster-afflicted communities with clean drinking water. Please do note that Wateroam is not a Singapore registered Institute of Public Character and your support of Wateroam’s relief efforts does not constitute as a charitable donation and does not qualify for tax-deduction in Singapore or elsewhere. If you have any questions about contributing to Wateroam, please contact us here.