DIY Biochar-Based Water Filter (Small-Scale)¶

BioSand & Media Filters • Est. CapEx: Low-cost / Locally fabricated

Technical Overview¶

A low-cost, easy-to-build point-of-use water filter using layers of pebbles, sand, and biochar in a plastic bottle or bucket. Ideal for households in resource-limited or emergency settings to reduce turbidity, pathogens, and some heavy metals.

Key Specifications & Engineering Parameters¶

Parameter	Specification
Category	BioSand & Media Filters
Capital Cost	Low-cost / Locally fabricated
Primary Mechanism	Water flows by gravity through a layered column of coarse rocks, gravel, fine sand, and biochar. Biochar adsorbs organic contaminants and some heavy metals, while sand and gravel trap suspended particles and provide a medium for microbial biofilm formation that aids pathogen removal.
Target Scale	Household / Village Cluster
Standard Lifespan	10 - 20 Years

Engineering Trade-Offs¶

✅ Advantages⚠️ Limitations

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Cross-Reference & Interactive Tools¶

Need to evaluate this technology for your specific field site? Run the WhatWater.info Selector Engine to compare it against 100+ alternative solutions.