Water Purification & Treatment Overview¶
Point-of-use (POU) and decentralized community water treatment systems ensure microbiological and physical safety from source to cup.
🔬 Need to Select the Right Purification Method?
Evaluate your raw water contamination (pathogens, turbidity, salinity) with the WhatWater.info Selector.
WASH PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY MATRIX
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TECHNOLOGY PATHOGEN REMOVAL CAPEX / UNIT STANDARD LIFESPAN
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Membrane (Sawyer) 99.9999% Bacteria/Protozoa $45 / kit 10 Years
BioSand Filter 99% Parasites, 90-99% Bact $100 - $250 20 Years
Ceramic Pot Filter 99.88% Pathogens $20 - $35 3 Years
Chlorine Dispenser 99.9% Bacteria/Viruses $1.50 / pp 1 Year (Recurring)
SODIS / UV-C 99.9% Pathogens $5 - $50 1 - 5 Years
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Detailed Purification Guides¶
- Point-of-Use Membrane Filtration — 0.1-micron hollow-fiber gravity filtration kits.
- Concrete BioSand Filters — CAWST biological schmutzdecke sand filters.
- Ceramic Pot & Candle Filters — Colloidal silver clay filters (Potters for Peace).
- Chlorination & Dosing — Community dispensers and in-line chlorinators.
- Solar Disinfection (SODIS) & UV — Solar radiation and UV-C LED purification.
- Solar Stills & Desalination — Remediation for saline and brackish water.
- Field Water Quality Testing — Low-cost field testing, H2S vials, and incubators.