Exploring the Efficiency of Ceramic Water Filters towards the Removal of Selected Contaminants in Tanzania

Abstract

The current study explores comparatively the efficiency of common ceramic water filters (CWF) in removing selected contaminants in water samples collected from rivers and ponds. Pot type (CWF1) and candle type (CWF2) ceramic water filters were purchased from the market to explore their efficiency towards removing organic matter, E. coli, turbidity, total suspended solids and colour in different retention times. The results on the quality of water from river and pond revealed that the levels of contaminants in water exceeded the standard set by TBS and WHO. The ability of CWF1 for organic matter removal in water from Kwakilosa river was 50% and Kalenga pond was 58%. On the other hand, the ability of CWF2 for organic matter removal in water from Kwakilosa river and Kalenga pond was 100%. E. coli removal for CWF1 was 84% for water from Kwakilosa river and 93% for water from Kalenga pond. For CWF2 dosing experiments E. coli removal efficiency was 100% for water from Kwakilosa river and 98% for water from Kalenga pond. In the third run, the CWF2 achieved a maximum E. coli efficiency removal of 100%. The study concluded that ceramic water filters that are found in Tanzania market are effective in removing specific water contaminants. However, CWF2 was more efficient than CWF1 due to the presence of activated carbon inside the filter. This study suggests that the ceramic water filters that available in the market should be modified to remove multiple contaminants.