Asessing the Quality of Traditionally Manufactured Ceramic Water Filters, Limpopo, South Africa

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.