DOST develops ceramic-based water filters

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has developed a ceramic-based water filter that can remove contaminants from drinking water.

The DOST regional office here said it has developed at least two types of ceramic filters — one with a capacity to filter 6.5 liters of water and another, 1.5 liters at any time.

“The filter is made from red clay and we added ‘nano’ which is a very, very small anti-microbial agent that can eliminate water-borne microorganisms,” said DOST supervising science research specialist Josefina Celorico.

The ceramic filter is lodged in a plastic container with a faucet at the bottom to collect the filtered water. The flow rate is two to three liters per hour and the filter can purify tap, deep well, and raw water from ponds and springs.

“The ceramic filters are easy to install and maintain and are reasonably priced,” she said, adding that the production cost per piece ranges from P80 to P190 depending on the model.

She said water filtered with the ceramic filters passed the Philippine national standard for drinking water in tests on coliform and Escherichia coli, the most common water-borne, disease-causing microorganisms.

She added that the ceramic filters also underwent field-testing in households in National Housing Authority sites.

The DOST is now promoting the use of the ceramic filters nationwide. In Central Luzon, the DOST regional office has conducted training on how to produce the filters using clay from Tarlac.