BIO-SAND FILTERS

Bio-Sand Filters are a very effective, low-cost, safe water solution. They work well in areas with access to surface water (lakes, rivers, creeks, rainwater catchment…) by reducing pathogens and contaminates making water safe to drink. Through a basic gravity fed process, water is poured through a diffiuser plate in the top of the filter, then fed through several layers of sand and gravel before passing through the pipe to the outlet point. Absorption traps larger contaminates and a biological layer rids the water of pathogens. Bio-Sand filters are working to saves lives throughout the developing world and there are many of us working hard to perfect the model and make them even more effective.

Average Cost: $100 per Filter.

WELL REPAIR

There are tens of thousands of broken wells and hand pumps throughout the developing world. Through overuse, vandalism or natural disaster these wells have become unusable and basically worthless. Often, these communities do not have the tools or parts needed to repair these wells and hand pumps on their own. Yet, most of these wells still have the capacity to produce safe, clean water if they can sustain a repair. Well Repair is highly cost-effective solution to bringing access to clean water back in to a community. During a repair process, there is often a water committee selected in the community to monitor to functionality of the well and perform necessary maintenance, ensuring its longevity.

Average Cost: $1500-$2500 per Well Repair.

SHALLOW WELL DRILLING

Wells are drilled at more shallow depths through rotary drill rigs and at larger depths (and more rocky terrain) through larger hammer drilling rigs. Drilling borehole wells is important to protect the sanitation and integrity of clean water coming from the ground. The benefits of a drilled well that is cased in concrete, far outweigh those of hand dug wells. By drilling a cased borehole, water is highly protected from above ground contaminates. While the cost of drilling a new well is considerably more expensive than repairing an existing well or filtration, it is often the only solution a community has to gaining access to safe, clean water.

Average Cost: $3000-$5000 per Well.