Ceramic filters: Ugandan schools get CrystalPur kits

Uganda has been selected as the only country in Africa to pilot a project that provides cheap and pure drinking water to schools and clinics in rural areas. Appropriate Technology (AT) Uganda and Enterprise Works/ VITA, with funding from the Diageo Foundation’s Giving for Good programme, started introducing CrystalPur ceramic water filters in Uganda in October 2008.

The filters remove bacteria and parasites from contaminated water, without the need for electricity or chemicals. They can produce between four and six litres of clean water per hour. CrystalPur filters are suitable for schools, households, hotels, health centres, camping teams, and disaster and emergency hit areas. They weigh less than 500g each and can treat up to 7,000 litres of water (350 jerrycans) - less than the cost of one bag of charcoal - before the filter needs to be replaced. The filter has been tested and approved by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards.

Diageo Foundation has donated 3,500 units which have been distributed in over 150 primary and secondary schools in Kampala and Wakiso districts in Uganda. The water filter programme ends in October 2009.

Related web sites:

• Diageo Foundation Giving for Good programme
• Enterprise Works/ VITA

Source: Patrick Jaramogi, New Vision, 08 Sep 2009

Keywords

• Africa
• Water supply - Water treatment