Household water treatment and safe storage product development in Ghana

Abstract

Microbial and/or chemical contaminants can infiltrate into piped water systems, especially when the system is intermittent. Ghana has been suffering from aged and intermittent piped water networks, and an added barrier of protection is needed for improved public health. Household water treatment and safe storage (HWTS) products, such as ceramic pot water filters, can be great complements to piped water systems. This thesis focuses on developing a new household water treatment product, targeted middle and upper class families, to help provide safe and affordable drinking water in Ghana at the household scale. Pure Home Water (PHW), a registered nonprofit organization in Tamale, Ghana, manufactures and disseminates a ceramic pot water filter called "AfriClay Classic Filter". This thesis project was conducted in partnership with PHW to research and develop a new product to be branded as "AfriClay Deluxe Filter", and serve as a high-end product in urban areas. The research and development process has consisted of analysis of alternative products in the global market, selection of designs, field research and proof of concept, selected products evaluation, and final design recommendations. Four HWTS products have been studied and analyzed thoroughly. The field research was done in January 2013 in Ghana, and included 40 household surveys and multiple field trips to a local water treatment plant, plastic manufacturers, and Ghana Water Co Ltd, the national piped water-supply agency in Accra. The products analyses and field research data are then synthesized in two products assessments and final recommendations are made. In addition, this thesis documented PHW's concrete mold-making process, which is an essential step of manufacturing the clay filter element. At the end of the study, a new filter model as well as several product features is recommended to PHW. The organization may either use the new filter model as its high-end product, or take the recommended product features forward for further development.