KanchanTM Arsenic Filter (KAF) –Research and Implementation of an

Appropriate Drinking Water Solution for Rural Nepal

3rd Annual Meeting of the International Network to Promote Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage, 30-31 May 2005

&2005 International Symposium on Household Water Management,

1-2 June 2005

Susan Murcott, Tommy Ka Kit Ngai

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Dr. Roshan Raj Shrestha, Bipin Dangol

Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO)

Presentation Outline

1.Arsenic contamination in Nepal

2.Kanchan Arsenic Filter

3. Implementation 2004

4.Project findings

5.What is next?

This water has arsenic?

1. Arsenic Contamination in Nepal2. KanchanTM Arsenic Filter3. Implementation 20044. Project Findings5. What is next?

Arsenic Contamination in Nepal

The State of Arsenic in Nepal (NASC and ENPHO, 2004)

Classification of Arsenic Concentration

93%

7%

Below Above

7.4%

Above 50 ppb

16.3%

11-50 ppb

76.3%

0-10 ppb

24%

76%

Below Above

Nepal Interim Standard WHO Guideline(50 ppb) (10 ppb)

Population affected by ArsenicWHO guideline: 10 ug/L (ppb)

1 to 2 millions affected

Nepali guideline: 50 ug/L 0.5 millions affected

1. Arsenic Contamination in Nepal2. KanchanTM Arsenic Filter3. Implementation 20044. Project Findings5. What is next?

KanchanTM Arsenic Filter(formerly Arsenic Biosand Filter)

• Developed by MIT, ENPHO and RWSSSP

• Based on slow sand filter technology and arsenic adsorption on ferric hydroxide• Intended for arsenic, bacteria, iron, turbidity removal • Constructed by trained local technicians using local materials

• Adequate flow rate for a large family (15L/hr) • No chemical additives

• No replacement parts except iron nails• Easy to operate and maintain

KanchanTM Arsenic Filter Components

Diffuser Basin

Lid

Gravel

Coarse Sand

Water

Fine Sand

Iron NailsBrick chips

Container

Pipe

Arsenic Removal Mechanism

• After contact with water and air, iron nails in the diffuser basin will quickly rust

• Iron rust (ferric hydroxide) is an excellent adsorbent for arsenic

Filter Cost (Gem505 Model, January 2005)

Item NRs $USContainer, Basin & Lid 540 7.71Piping System 160 2.29Sand & Gravel 40 0.57Iron Nails 350 5.00Bricks 5 0.07Piyush (disinfection) 35 0.50Transportation 50 0.71Labor 50 0.71Documentation 20 0.26Tools 15 0.21

Cost per Unit 1265 18.07Profit 10% 127 1.81

Selling Price 1392 19.88

Note:No replacement parts needed except iron nails (nails can last at least 2 years)

Assume exchange rate of US$1 = 70 Nepali Rupees

1. Arsenic Contamination in Nepal2. KanchanTM Arsenic Filter3. Implementation 20044. Project Findings5. What is next?

World Bank DM2003 AwardFunding Source:• Won a US$115,000 award from the World Bank Development Marketplace Global Competition 2003

Project Objective:• To sustainably promote the KanchanTM Arsenic Filter as an appropriate arsenic mitigation option throughout Nepal

Project Duration:• Jan 04 to Jan 05

Project Partners:• MIT, ENPHO, RWSSSP

Major Accomplishments1. Established an in-country KAF reference and resource

center at ENPHO to coordinate implementation efforts

• obtain latest technology information and IEC materials• learn about project progress and evaluation• receive proper training and assistance

Major Accomplishments2. Researched and developed the Gem505 Design

better performance, lower cost, improved acceptance

Concrete Round (2003)

Plastic Hilltake(2003)

Plastic Gem505 (2004)

Concrete Square (2002)

Major Accomplishments

3. Train 15 local entrepreneurs from arsenic-affected districts on filter construction, troubleshooting, water testing

4. Conduct workshops to 30 VDCs and 178 wards on health, water management, treatment options, and filter information

Location of Entrepreneurs

(NASC and ENPHO, 2004)

VDC and Ward-level Workshops

(NASC and ENPHO, 2004)

Major Accomplishments5. Over 2000 filters distributed, serving 15,000+

beneficiaries. (as of Jan 31, 2005)

RWSSSP distribution (since 2002) 700+

Nepal Red Cross Society distribution (since 2003) 500+

DM project distribution (since April 2004) 350+

Entrepreneurs (since April 2004) 450+

Implementation Model Advantages

Effective and efficient• Demand-responsive• KAF immediately available• Easy to scale-up• Separation of supply and regulatory functions

Sustainable (financial and organizational) • MIT and ENPHO will continue to exist, conduct research and coordinate• Red Cross promote KAF as part of their regular health promotion• Entrepreneurs are local NGOs or community clubs• Entrepreneurs earn profit selling KAF

1. Arsenic Contamination in Nepal2. KanchanTM Arsenic Filter3. Implementation 20044. Project Findings5. What is next?

Preliminary User Survey Results Preliminary results (n= 424) as of Jan 31, 2005

Yes Partially No

Filter still in operation after 1 year 85.3% 8.3%

---

42.3%

---

6.3%

Users think filter operation is easy 73.6% 26.4%

Users can maintain the filter correctly 50.2% 7.4%

Users will recommend filter to others 82.5% 17.5%

Better Same Worse

Appearance of filtered water 92.8% 6.9% 0.2%

Taste of filtered water 95.0% 5.0% 0%

Smell of filtered water 89.9% 11.1% 0%

Users’ perceived health conditions after drinking filtered water

77.5% 22.5% 0%

ND 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500500 5 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0450 8 1 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 3400 10 2 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1350 15 3 1 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0300 28 1 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0250 27 2 1 2 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 2200 32 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2150 40 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1100 99 8 3 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0

90 86 6 3 0 0 0 1 2 0 180 57 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 070 42 3 0 3 0 0 0 060 34 13 5 2 1 0 050 71 5 2 0 0 040 21 2 0 0 030 17 0 0 020 44 1 010 12 0

ND 189

Effluent Arsenic Concentration (ug/L)

Influ

ent A

rsen

ic C

once

ntra

tion

(ug/

L)

UnacceptableAcceptable

Figure indicates number of filters

KanchanTM Arsenic Filter MonitoringArsenic Removal (n=966)

Correct installation and maintenance are highly important

• NO flexible tubing• NO tap connection

• NO dispersed iron nails

1. Arsenic Contamination in Nepal2. KanchanTM Arsenic Filter3. Implementation 20044. Project Findings5. What is next?

Future ChallengesIn order to scale-up this technology to serve the entire Terai:

• Awareness and education to users

• Strengthen filter supply scheme

• Financing for users

• Strong coordination and management

Future ProjectionsBased on data of the SOA Nepal 2003 and Nepal Census 2001:

• There are 147 VDCs in 17 districts affected by Arsenic• Estimated 40,408 households affected

• Assume 50% of the households will get a filter 20,204 filters• Assume 5% will pay full price• Assume 45% will pay 0.2 to 0.5% of annual income based on awareness level, literacy rate, etc

Total filter costs = 28 million Rs.Total payment from users = 6.5 million Rs.Subsidy required = 21.5 million Rs.Entrepreneur profits = 2.5 million Rs.

US$300,000

Limitations:Only 147 VDCs included. Blanket testing results will probably show more households affected.

Conclusions• There is no single solution applicable for all regions of Nepal• Multiple options (e.g. arsenic-free sources, arsenic removal technologies) are required

• The KanchanTM Arsenic Filter is appropriate for the socio-economic conditions of rural Terai region, but other technologies may be more appropriate for other regions/countries

• Even the simplest and best technology will FAIL, UNLESS it is supported by an effective implementation plan considering:

1. User Awareness2. Filter Quality Control3. Monitoring & Follow-up4. Strong coordination

World Bank Nepal Development Marketplace (NDM) 2005 Award

AcknowledgementsIn Nepal:

• Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Support Programme (RWSSSP)• National Arsenic Steering Committee (NASC)• Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS)• Department of Water Supply & Sewerage (DWSS)• Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Fund Development Board (RWSSFDB)• Department of Education (DOE)• Department of Irrigation (DOI)• Nepal Water for Health (NEWAH)• Save the Environment Nepal (STEN)• US Embassy in Nepal• Kathmandu University• Tribhuvan University

Internationally:

• MIT Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, USA• MIT IDEAS Competition, USA• The Lemelson Foundation, USA• MIT Sloan School of Business, USA• The World Bank• Stanford University, USA• Filters for Families, USA• US Geological Survey (USGS)• US Peace Corp• Global Water Trust (GWT), USA• Center for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology (CAWST), Canada• Asia Arsenic Network (AAN), Japan• Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS)• Kyoto Institute of Eco-Sound Systems (KIESS), Japan• Simavi, The Netherlands• Water Aid

Filter Operation

1. Pour water into top basin. Water will pass through filter and flow up the pipe

2. Collect filtered water at the pipe outlet

3. If flow rate is insufficient, then cleaning is required

Filter Cleaning/ Maintenance

1. Wash your hands with soap

2. Remove diffuser basin

3. Stir the uppermost ½ inch of sand with your fingers

4a. Remove turbid water with a cup.4b. Replace the basin and add more water.4c. Repeat the stirring process for two additional times.

5. Discard the turbid water in a dug hole with some cow dung in it

6. Now the filter can be used again

Filter Cleaning/ Maintenance

Iron Removal Mechanism

• Soluble iron(II) in raw water is oxidized in air to insoluble iron(III)

• Iron is trapped on top of sand layer by physical straining

Fine sand

Fe Fe Fe Iron particles are trapped on top of the fine sand layer by physical straining (i.e. too large to pass)

Bacteria Removal Mechanism

Total Coliforms Removal

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27Days since operation

% R

emov

al

Filter 1Filter 2Filter 3Filter 4