How to Install a Bio Sand Filter

Summary

This script offers a comprehensive guide to installing and maintaining a water filter system, emphasizing the importance of hygiene and education with UNICEF support. It details the components, installation steps, and the critical first 10 days for biological layer formation, which significantly reduces bacteria and viruses. The script also highlights the necessity of regular maintenance, including cleaning the dispensing tube and managing water flow to ensure optimal filtration performance.

Takeaways

• 📚 Start with education: Households should complete wash training, water sanitation, and hygiene education provided by UNICEF and other organizations.
• 🔍 Know the parts: Familiarize yourself with the water filter components, including the filter body, lid, diffuser plate, standpipe, and dispensing tube.
• 🧼 Clean each part: Ensure all parts of the water filter are thoroughly cleaned before assembly.
• 📍 Choose the right location: Work with the homeowner to select a suitable location for the filter, away from heat and potential disruptions.
• ⚖️ Ensure level installation: The filter must sit flat and level, using shimming or digging if necessary.
• 💧 Check for leaks: Before adding gravel and sand, fill the filter with water to check for leaks, especially in the standpipe.
• 🪨 Layer the gravel: Start by adding the green bag of undergravel, ensuring no air pockets and complete submersion in water.
• 🏜 Add separation and filtration sand: Follow with the yellow bag of separation gravel and red bags of filtration sand, maintaining the correct levels.
• 🔑 Monitor the final sand level: The top of the filtration sand should be two inches below the hash mark inside the filter bottle.
• 🚰 Fill and use the filter: After setting up, fill the filter to the top with water, apply the lid, and begin the initial water use and monitoring.
• 🛠 Maintenance is crucial: Regularly clean the dispensing tube and re-establish flow within the system to maintain optimal performance.

Q & A

What is the first step in the installation process of a water filter according to the script?

The first step is to educate each household receiving a filter, ensuring they complete wash training, water sanitation, and hygiene education available from UNICEF and core.

What are the main components of a water filter as listed in the script?

The main components are the filter body, filter lid, diffuser plate, standpipe, and dispensing tube. Additionally, there are bags of undergravel, separation gravel, and filtration sand labeled with different colors.

How should one prepare the parts before assembling the water filter?

Each part should be wiped clean to ensure there is no contamination before assembly.

What is the importance of choosing the right location for the water filter installation?

The location should be away from heat and disruption to prevent contamination and ensure the filter sits flat and level, which is crucial for proper filtration.

Why is it necessary to place the diffuser plate before pouring water into the filter?

The diffuser plate is placed before pouring water to keep the contents level and prevent air pockets, ensuring even distribution of the gravel and sand.

What is the correct method for adding the undergravel, separation gravel, and filtration sand to the filter?

The materials should be poured into water to keep them completely submerged and poured over your hand to disperse them more evenly.

How should the final level of sand be determined after adding all the materials?

The final level of sand should sit two inches below the hash mark inside the top of the filter bottle.

What is the initial flow rate of the water filter after installation, and how is it checked?

The initial flow rate should be between 700 mls to 1 liter per minute, and it is checked after the filter has been in use for a couple of days.

Why is it important to add a chlorine tablet to post-filtered water during the first 10 days of use?

During the first 10 days, a biological layer forms on top of the sand that stops over 98% of bacteria and viruses. Adding a chlorine tablet ensures any remaining contaminants are killed.

What are the two main maintenance steps necessary to keep the filter unit functioning properly?

The two main maintenance steps are cleaning the dispensing tube to prevent clogs and re-establishing flow within the system if the bilayer becomes too dense and slows the flow rate.

What should one avoid adding to the filter during the initial 10 days, and why?

One should avoid adding Clorox or chlorine directly to the filter because it can disrupt the formation of the biological layer that is essential for filtering out bacteria and viruses.

Outlines

00:00

🚿 Water Filter Installation Guide

This paragraph provides a step-by-step guide for installing a water filter system. It starts with the importance of wash training and hygiene education provided by UNICEF and other organizations. The process includes identifying the parts of the filter, cleaning them, and assembling them in a specific order. The filter should be placed in an optimal location, away from heat and potential contamination sources. The installation involves adding different types of gravel and sand, ensuring no air pockets and maintaining the correct water levels. The system must be tested for leaks and flow rate, and the homeowner should be educated on proper use and maintenance, including cleaning the dispensing tube and maintaining water levels to prevent the filter from running dry.

05:08

🛡️ Water Filter Maintenance and Usage

This paragraph focuses on the maintenance and usage of the water filter system. It explains that the filter removes parasites immediately and that a biological layer forms on the sand within the first 10 days, which is crucial for stopping over 98% of bacteria and viruses. The homeowner is advised against using Clorox or direct chlorine on the filter, as it disrupts the filtration layers. The paragraph also covers the importance of using the best available water source and not moving the unit once set up to avoid disrupting the filtration layers. Maintenance involves cleaning the dispensing tube and re-establishing flow within the system if it becomes too dense or slow. Additional resources and downloads can be found on the WWF website.

Keywords

💡Installation

Installation refers to the process of setting up a device or system so that it is ready for use. In the context of the video, it is crucial for the proper functioning of the water filter. The script details the steps for installation, emphasizing the importance of cleanliness and correct assembly to ensure the filter operates effectively.

💡WASH

WASH stands for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, which are essential components of public health. The script mentions that households should complete WASH training, indicating the importance of understanding these elements for maintaining a clean and safe water supply, especially in the context of water filter use.

💡UNICEF

UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, is an organization that provides humanitarian assistance to children in need. The script suggests that WASH training is available from UNICEF, highlighting the role of international organizations in promoting water safety and hygiene education.

💡Filter Body

The filter body is the main container of the water filter system. It is where the filtration process takes place. The script describes the importance of assembling the filter body correctly with other parts like the standpipe and diffuser plate to ensure the filter functions properly.

💡Gravel

Gravel is used in the water filter as a layer that supports the filtration sand and helps prevent it from being disturbed. The script specifies different types of gravel, such as under grain gravel and separation gravel, each with a specific purpose in the filtration process.

💡Filtration Sand

Filtration sand is a key component of the water filter, used to trap contaminants and impurities. The script mentions that the sand should be added in a specific manner to avoid air pockets and should be level with a certain mark inside the filter bottle.

💡Diffuser Plate

The diffuser plate is a part of the water filter that helps to distribute water evenly across the filtration sand. The script emphasizes the importance of placing the diffuser plate before adding water to maintain the structural integrity of the filter.

💡Flow Rate

Flow rate refers to the speed at which water passes through the filter. The script specifies a desired flow rate for the filter, indicating that it is an important performance metric to ensure the filter is working efficiently.

💡Biological Layer

A biological layer is a natural formation of beneficial microorganisms that can help in the filtration process by removing bacteria and viruses. The script mentions that this layer forms on top of the sand during the first 10 days of filter use, contributing to the filter's effectiveness.

💡Maintenance

Maintenance is the routine care and servicing of the water filter to ensure it continues to function properly. The script outlines two main maintenance tasks: cleaning the dispensing tube and re-establishing flow within the system, which are essential for the long-term performance of the filter.

💡Chlorine Tablet

A chlorine tablet is a chemical used for disinfecting water. The script advises adding a chlorine tablet to post-filtered water during the first 10 days, but warns against using Clorox or other chlorine products directly in the filter, as it can disrupt the biological layer.

Highlights

Education on water filter installation is crucial, with training available from UN UNICEF and other core organizations.

A complete parts list for the water filter includes the filter body, lid, diffuser plate, standpipe, and dispensing tube, along with different types of gravel and sand.

Before installation, ensure each part of the water filter is clean.

Attach the standpipe and dispensing tube to the filter body as part of the installation process.

Work with the homeowner to select the best installation location, away from heat and potential disruptions.

The filter must sit on a flat, level surface, using shimming or digging if necessary.

Check for leaks in the standpipe and always place the diffuser plate before pouring water.

Pour gravel and sand into water to prevent air pockets, ensuring they are completely submerged.

The final level of sand should be two inches below the hash mark inside the top of the filter bottle.

After adding sand, fill the filter body to the top with water and put on the filter lid.

For the first two days, run five gallons of water per day through the filter.

Check the flow rate, which should be between 700 ml to 1 liter per minute.

Maintain a separate bucket for adding water to the filter and for collecting post-filtered water.

Never let the filter system run dry and add more sand if it settles below the required level.

The filter removes all parasites immediately, and a biological layer forms on the sand during the first 10 days, stopping over 98% of bacteria and viruses.

For the first 10 days, add a chlorine tablet to each bucket of post-filtered water if immediate use is needed.

Avoid adding Clorox or chlorine directly to the filter, as it offers no benefit.

Use the best available water source and avoid moving the filter unit once set up to prevent disruption of filtration layers.

Maintenance of the filter unit involves cleaning the dispensing tube and re-establishing flow within the system.

For clogged or dirty dispensing tubes, remove, clean with bleach or soap, and rinse thoroughly before reattaching.

If the flow rate slows, remove the filter lid and diffuser plate to stir the water without disturbing the sand, then adjust water levels as needed.

Transcripts

a good installation starts with

education each household receiving a

filter should complete wash training

wash water sanitation and hygiene

available from the UN UNICEF and um core

installation first know the parts of

your water filter parts list filter body

filter lid diffuser plate filter

standpipe and dispensing to

one bag of under grain gravel green

label one bag of separation gravel

yellow label two bags of filtration sand

red label fifty pounds each step one

wipe each part clean

step to attach the filter standpipe and

dispensing to

step3 work with the homeowner to pick

the best location one away from heat and

disruption the location should guard

against something falling into the water

and contaminating it the filter must sit

flat level by shimming or digging if

necessary step four point about three

inches of water check for leaks in the

stand pipe

always put in the diffuser plate before

pouring water this keeps the contents

level step by add water porn level the

green bag of under grain gravel

to prevent air pockets always pour the

rock and sand into water keep them

completely submerged pour the rock and

sand over your hand to allow it to

disperse more evenly

step 6 add more water or and level the

yellow bag of separation gravel step 7

add more water pour and level the red

banks of filtration sand

note the hash mark inside the top of the

filter bottle the final level of sand

should sit two inches below this mark

add sand is needed to level some sand

should be left over so to decide to add

later as settling occurs step 8

but in the diffuser plate fill the

filter body to the top with water

step 9 put on the filter lid for the

next two days and five gallons of water

per day step 10

check the flow rate it should be seven

hundred mils to one liter per minute

step 11 clean and designate a post

filtered water bucket always use a

separate bucket for adding water to the

filter step 12

add water is needed always keep two

inches of water above the sand never let

the system run dry if the sand settles

more than two inches below the hash mark

add more sand the filter removes all

parasites immediately

during the first 10 days a biological

layer forms on top of the sand this bio

layer stops over 98% of bacteria and

viruses if the homeowner needs water

immediately add a chlorine tablet to

each bucket of post filtered water for

the first 10 days never add Clorox or

chlorine to the filter there is no

benefit to filtering water more than

once use the best water source available

don't move the unit once set up it

disrupts the filtration layers

maintenance there are two steps

necessary to maintain the filter unit

number one cleaning the dispensing tube

number two re-establishing flow within

the system periodically the dispensing

tube may become clogged or dirty to

clean the tube 1 remove it from the

filter

to clean with bleach or soap

three rinse with clean water

or return to the unit

the bilayer may become too dense and

slow the flow rate

when this occurs one remove the filter

lid and diffuser plate to stir the water

avoid disturbing the sand three scoop

off top inch of water or add more water

5 repeat until the flow rate improves

for more supporting material or

downloads check out our website WWF you

knew the gift calm