Performance Evaluation of BioSand Water Filters in Cambodia.

The Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) in Cambodia is "an international partnership for improving water and sanitation sector policies, practices, and capacities to serve poor people". WSP has recently made available a Field Note titled, Improving Household Drinking Water Quality - Use of BioSand Filters in Cambodia authored by Kaida Liang, Mark Sobsey and Christine Stauber, University of North Carolina. The study is dated May 2010. It includes a 38 page report and a DVD containing presentations of the work. The Field Note is available at http://www.wsp.org.


Important results of study:

1. Approximately 100,000 BSF's in Cambodia at this time with funding primarily from Samaritan's Purse Canada. They are presently supporting a program that anticipates an additional 25,000 BSF's per year.

2. 87.5% of households surveyed continue to use their BSF (oldest filter was installed eight years ago).

3. 95% reduction of E. Coli and 82% reduction in turbidity of untreated source water.

4. 47% reduction of diarrheal disease.

The professional, ethical and culturally sensitive approach taken by Samaritan's Purse (SP) Canada and their Cambodian partners must be given the credit for these really great results.

I was always impressed by the way SP has implemented their BioSand Water Filter projects - closely following all of the guidelines and methodology outlined on my web site.