94 Protec ting Communit y Water
Filtering water
There are many ways to filter water to make it safer from germs. Some
filters, like the ceramic filter below, require special equipment. Others need no
special equipment and can easily filter small or large amounts of water before
disinfecting.
Cloth filters
In Bangladesh and India, a filter made of finely woven cloth is used to
remove cholera germs from drinking water. Because the cholera
germ often attaches to a tiny animal that lives in water,
filtering out these animals also filters out most cholera germs.
This method also filters out guinea worms.
You can make a cloth filter out of handkerchiefs, linen,
or other fabric such as the cloth used to make saris. Old
cloth works better than new cloth because worn fibers
make the spaces in the weave smaller and better for
filtering.
3. Let water settle in a container so that solids sink to the bottom.
4. Fold the cloth 4 times and stretch or tie it over the mouth of another
container or water jar.
5. Pour water slowly from the first container through the cloth into the
second container or jar.
Always use the same side of the cloth, or germs may get into the water.
After using the cloth, wash it and leave it in the sun to dry. This kills any
germs that may be left in the cloth. In the rainy season, disinfect the cloth
with bleach. Be sure to clean the container you use to store the filtered water
in, at least every 2 to 3 weeks.
Ceramic filters
A small water filter can be made from fired clay coated with colloidal silver
(a substance that kills germs). With basic training, any potter can easily
make these filters. (For more information, see Resources.)
Plastic top
Ceramic filter coated
with colloidal silver
Plastic bucket
Plastic tap
Ceramic filter used inside a plastic bucket
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012