Abstract:
The traditional clay pot can be modernized by including
sawdust to produce a ceramic water filter. Ceramic water filters are
known to improve the quality of drinking water by inactivating
waterborne pathogens. Here we report on the quality of traditionally
manufactured ceramic water filter in improving the chemical and
microbial quality of drinking water. The sources of drinking water
were Mambedi dam and the Luvuvhu River. The water from Luvuvhu
River was then filtered with ceramic water filter (CWF). The mean pH
values of Luvuvhu River and purified water ranged from 6.20 to 6.56
and 7.79 to 7.91 respectfully. The electrical conductivity of Luvuvhu
River and purified water ranged from 210 to 224 μS/cm and 229 to 284
μS/cm respectfully. The temperature of Luvuvhu River and purified
water ranged from 21.3 to 23.5 °C and 23.1 to 25.5°C respectfully. The
turbidity mean value of Luvuvhu River and purified water ranged from
1.67 to 4.38 NTU and 0.31 to 0.64 NTU respectfully. The CWF was
effective in the removal of some metals Cr, Sr, and Ba and there was no
leaching of metals As and Ni. The total coliforms and faecal coliforms
in the purified water were 3 cfu/100 ml and 36 cfu/100 ml respectfully.
Thus at household level, the ceramic water filter may be used to
improve the chemical and microbial safety of the Luvuvhu river.