The TerraClear Ceramic Water Purifier (CWP) is a zero-emissions, point-of-use ceramic water purification system. The product consists of a pot-shaped ceramic filter element set in a plastic receptacle tank with a lid and spigot to protect filtered water from recontamination.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit ceramic filter plate.
Ceramic filtration is the use of porous ceramic (fired clay) to filter microbes or other contaminants from drinking water. Raw water seeps through the ceramic filter element by gravity at a post-production rate of 1.7 to 3.5 liters per hour producing potable water.
The CWP can filter up to 55 liters per day and store up to 36 liters of safe water in the receptacle tank. Maintenance consists of scrubbing the ceramic filter element to unclog pores and washing the receptacle tank to prevent bacterial growth. The product is a low technology solution to households’ lack of access to safe water: the filter is fed by gravity and the replaceable spigot is the only moving part.
The filters themselves are kiln-fired clay impregnated with colloidal silver. TerraClear manufactures the filter elements at a purpose-built factory near Pakse, Lao PDR. Locally sourced clay and rice husks are ground to a specific size and mixed at precise levels. This precise ceramic mixture of clay and rice husks is then molded into pots and fired in a kiln. During the firing process, the rice husk burns and creates the extremely small pores which, due to size exclusion, act as physical barriers to micro-organisms, making the filter effective at removing bacteria, protozoa, helminths, turbidity and other suspended solids. After firing, the filters are brushed with colloidal silver, infusing the clay pores to provide a permanent, secondary defense, which when used correctly removes over 99% of bacteria 1 2 3 4 .
The ceramic filter element has a potential useful life of 7 years or longer 5. Lifespan mainly depends on the quality of the input water and the care taken to avoid breakage.
The water treated by a CWP has no significant taste issues. CWPs have functional stability, meaning they only have one moving part (the spigot) and require no external energy source (such as a UV lamp) or consumables (such as chlorine packets, or media that must be regenerated or replaced).
Several ministries of the Government of Lao PDR have certified the TerraClear CWP. Testing and certification was provided by the Ministry of Food and Drug, providing a “Pass” for the following tested parameters: Hardness, pH, Total Coliforms, E. Coli, and Fecal Coliforms 6. The Ministry of Health has also endorsed the product following a study of the filters in 2012, which tested for E. Coli and Total Coliforms from a number of water sources, including: Shallow well, Spring water/Mountain source, River water, Borehole, Town water, Pond water, and River water. The certificate from the Ministry of Health states that “the water filter is appropriate for every water situation throughout the country” 7.
TerraClear filters are regularly sold with refillable 12-liter bottles which can be used to collect untreated water and positioned on the system to automatically flow into the filter. In addition, stands are also produced and regularly purchased by end users for convenience and hygiene. A pictorial instruction sticker is fixed to the side of each CWP unit, along with contact details to facilitate questions and replacements.
1 Roberts M (2003) Ceramic Water Purifier – Cambodia Field Tests, IDE Cambodia, Phnom Penh, p 4-6
2 Brown J, Sobsey M, and Proum S (2007) Improving Household Drinking Water Quality: Use of Ceramic Water Filters in Cambodia, WSP Field Note, World Bank Water and Sanitation Program, Phnom Penh, p 22-32
3 Bloem SC (2008) Silver Impregnated Ceramic Water Filter – Flowrate versus the removal efficiency of pathogens, Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft, Netherlands
4 Phimmason, B, PhD (2011) Experiment Using Water Filter Ceramic to Decrease Coliform Bacteria in Water, Ministry of Health, National Centre for Environmental Health and Water Supply, Vientiane, Lao PDR
5 Lantagne, D (2001) Investigation of the Potters for Peace Colloidal Silver Impregnated Ceramic Filter – Report 1: Intrinsic Effectiveness, p 58 [Online] Available from: http://web.mit.edu/watsan/Docs/Other%20Documents/ceramicpot/PFP-Report1-Daniele%20Lantagne,%2012-01.pdf
6 Government of Lao PDR (2011) Certificate of Testing for TerraClear CWP, Ministry of Health, Drug and Food Testing Centre, Vientiane, Lao PDR.
7 Government of Lao PDR (2012) Certificate of Testing for TerraClear CWP, Ministry of Health, National Centre for Environmental Health and Water Supply, Vientiane, Lao PDR.
Most of us rely on a treated public water supply, deemed safe for consumption, but it can often carry unpleasant tastes and odours due to chemicals like chlorine used for disinfection to keep the water free from germs and bacteria. Additionally, depending on your location, the mains water might cause limescale deposits, leading to pipe blockages and appliance damage. These concerns, including chlorine taste/odour and limescale formation, are just a couple of the many water issues that can be addressed through water filtration.
In this blog we delve into a subject deeply rooted in our brand heritage, ceramic water filters. Our goal is to pass on our extensive knowledge and expertise spanning over two centuries.
Ceramic water filters, as pioneered by Henry Doulton® in the early 1800s, indeed have a rich history and are among the oldest filtration techniques still in use today. They are made from a combination of clay and combustible materials, which are fired at high temperatures to create a porous ceramic structure. Ceramic water filters have gained widespread use around the world as an inexpensive method to treat microbially contaminated water1. But what is the mechanism behind how water filters actually work?
Ceramic water filters have a relatively high efficiency at removing bacterial contaminants from drinking water2. The small pore size in the ceramic material prevents these contaminants from passing through, providing consumers with a reliable method of ensuring water purity. Typically, bacterial contaminants are trapped in the nano- and microscale pores of ceramic water filters when the water that has been introduced flows through their porous structure3. Research by Van der Laan 2014 showed that ceramic water filters can remove more than 99.9% of bacterial contaminants4.
For more information, please visit Bags for Basket Filters.
Absolutely! Ceramic water filters are highly effective, and you'll undoubtedly notice a noticeable improvement in the taste and quality of tap water when using them. Ceramic water filters offer a fantastic solution for enhancing the taste and eliminating contaminants, effectively reducing the potential hazards associated with consuming unhealthy tap water. They are not only a very efficient option, but they are an environmentally friendly one as ceramic is made from 100% natural earths.
Every filtering system operates on a common principle: water flows through a detachable cartridge containing a filtering medium like activated charcoal. However, filters can be prone to bacterial growth, clogging, and a subsequent loss of effectiveness over time. Therefore, we strongly advise replacing the filter elements every six months to ensure your water remains free of any bacterial contaminants.
Doulton's filters boast minimal maintenance needs due to their exceptional durability and extended lifespan, which reduces the frequency of replacements. Simply conducting routine cleaning of the ceramic element is usually enough to ensure the filter operates at its best. As a result, they present an excellent solution for individuals in search of a hassle-free and effortlessly manageable water purification option.
The average bottled water consuming household spends about £3,114.67 per year on bottled water. Most people would guess considerably less as the cost per individual bottled is much lower. By switching from bottled water to a tap water using a water filter from Doulton, a family of four can potentially save £2,791.82 per year. Read more about the Surprising Cost Difference Between Bottled Water Vs Filtered Water!
One of the significant advantages of using ceramic filters for water is their cost-effectiveness and you can buy them from the pioneers, Doulton®. Our ceramic filters for water treatment are purposefully crafted to offer an economical and efficient solution for water purification. These filters effectively eliminate contaminants, ensuring your tap water becomes a source of pure, refreshing taste. With our water filter systems, undesirable flavours and odours from the mains water are removed, providing clean and fresh-tasting water at your convenience. The HIP Biotect Ultra Inline, among our range of domestic systems, exemplifies compactness and ease of installation, making it an ideal choice for placing under a sink or in limited spaces.
Alternatively, you have the option of utilising a British Berkefeld® Stainless Steel Gravity System. This self-contained system enables you to purify polluted or contaminated water effortlessly, harnessing the power of gravity. The gravity system consists of two chambers: the upper chamber serves as the input for pouring in your contaminated water, while the lower chamber acts as the endpoint where the water is transformed into filtered, clean water. The British Berkefeld® Stainless Steel Gravity Water Filters stand out due to there remarkable convenience, as it operates without the need for plumbing or electricity, making it an efficient and eco-friendly choice.
References:
Are you interested in learning more about Filtration Fiberglass Fabric? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!