A study of feasibility for water purification using vertical porous concrete filter

There is a need to find cheaper and simpler techniques for rural water filtration system in developing countries. Using a filter made of blocks for the water treatment enables one to make vertical filters. It is expected that the amount of land utilized would decrease by more than 70 % if vertical filters were used. The operation and washing would be simpler than using horizontal sand filters as filters made of blocks would be used instead. The feasibility study focused on finding adequate materials, compositions and methods of making a block with enough resistance to water pressure, sufficient porosity for water transformation, and using inexpensive, readily available materials. A pilot study was used to determine an appropriate thickness. Testing the porous filter in another pilot study using the low overflow rate of river water showed biological growth in that media and an adequate efficiency of about 90-100 % was obtained for decreasing the coliform bacteria. Washing in this filter is possible. The amount of water necessary for backwashing is 2.9 % of total amount of water, which is passed.

Keywords
Slow sand filter, block filter, coliform bacteria, turbidity, porous concrete