Welcome

Welcome to manzwaterinfo.ca, the home-base for the BioSand Water Filter (BSF) and for cooperative discourse on water management.

The BSF and its applications are at the center of a rapidly evolving field that provides cheap, simple water purification systems to those who need it most.

Here you'll find information for BSF users, investors, students, professionals - anyone interested in inexpensive, effective, simple water purification.

See our MISSION STATEMENT below.

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Introduction to the BioSand Water Filter

Individual BSFs with capacities ranging from 20 to 960,000 litres per hour are available. Systems of BSFs can be expected to treat up 20,000,000 litres per hour.

In 1990 the first ideas for the development of the BSF were born. Since then, numerous individuals and supporting organizations have been trained in the use and application of models specifically designed for humanitarian projects around the world. These individuals passed on their training to others, and over the past decade hundreds of BSF projects have been established. The technology was patented and commercial versions were designed, manufactured and marketed.

Most BSF's are used by individual families, often shared with extended family members, friends and neighbours. The safe water produced is used for drinking, food preparation, personal hygiene and sanitation. Most of these BSF's have a capacity to produce between twenty and sixty litres of water per hour.

Several community-scale BSF systems are currently operating in North and Central America. Unfortunately, community scale systems delivered to Africa were never installed due to political unrest. The smallest systems provide water for several families while the largest provide water for tens of thousands of people.

BSF's are used alone or in combination with pre- and post-treatment to remove water borne pathogens (helminths, parasites, bacteria and viruses), particulate matter, colour and other DOC, BCOD, organic toxins and inorganic toxins such as arsenic and mercury. BSF systems capable of removing fluoride are currently being developed.

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Mission Statement

It's now estimated that there are more than 200,000 BSFs in more than 70 countries in Africa, Europe, Asia, North, Central and South America, the Caribbean and the South Pacific - with several hundred more being constructed and installed every week.

This website focuses on the smaller scale humanitarian models, which differ from the larger capacity versions only in the complexity of their mechanical systems. The intention is to report and discuss all relevant elements of the BSF technology including:

Design

Manufacture

Operation

Maintenance

Training

Project implementation

Experience

Evaluation

History

News

Information, web links and references that support the successful use of the BSF technology for the provision of safe water will also be reported and discussed.

The objective is to provide as much useful guidance as possible to all of the organizations and individuals involved with or interested in implementing BSF projects, using the BSF technology, evaluating BSF technology and its implementation, research and development of the BSF technology (at least as it pertains to humanitarian applications), funding BSF activities, regulatory bodies concerned with certifying BSF technology and any other activity pertaining to the successful use of the BSF technology worldwide.

The BSF technology and its applications are rapidly evolving, and there is a constant stream of information to communicate and share. The internet provides unparalleled communication opportunities.

Please feel free to email me. Your ideas, advice and experiences are important and welcome, and to the extent possible will be shared with the world.

Thank you for your interest and support.

-- Dr. David H. Manz, P. Eng., P. Ag. November 28, 2006

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