Contents
DECLARATION....................................................................................................................... i
APPROVAL............................................................................................................................. ii
DEDICATION .......................................................................................................................iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ........................................................................................................ iv
LIST OF TABLES.................................................................................................................. ix
LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................ x
ABBREVIATIONS................................................................................................................. xi
ABSTRACT........................................................................................................................... xii
CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION........................................................................................ 1
1.0 Background.................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Problem Statement....................................................................................................... 3
1.2 Objectives of the Research.......................................................................................... 3
1.2.1 General objective....................................................................................................... 3
1.2.2. Specific objectives .................................................................................................... 3
1.3 Research Questions ...................................................................................................... 3
1.4 Justification .................................................................................................................... 3
1.5 Scope of the Study ....................................................................................................... 4
1.5.1 Subject scope............................................................................................................. 4
1.5.2 Geographical scope ................................................................................................... 4
1.5.3 Sample size................................................................................................................. 5
1.5.4 Time frame ................................................................................................................. 5
1.5.5 Financial scope........................................................................................................... 6
1.6 Significance .................................................................................................................... 6
1.7 Delimitations .................................................................................................................. 6
1.8 Limitations...................................................................................................................... 7
Tumusakye Sharon & Oyokarach Job Douglash vi
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW............................................................................ 8
2.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 8
2.1 Water Quality................................................................................................................. 9
2.1.1. Microbiological quality ............................................................................................. 9
2.1.2. Physical tests........................................................................................................... 10
2.1.3. Chemical tests......................................................................................................... 11
2.2. Health effects of drinking unsafe water or untreated water............................... 14
2.3. Household Water Treatment.................................................................................... 15
2.3.1. Characteristics of an effective POU water treatment technology ................... 15
2.3.2. Common POU Water Treatment Technologies.................................................. 16
2.3.2.2. Solar Water Disinfection (SODIS); ................................................................... 17
2.3.2.3. Ceramic Filters (fired clay) ................................................................................ 19
2.3.2.3. Flocculation and disinfection systems.............................................................. 21
2.3.2.4. Solar distillation................................................................................................... 22
2.3.2.5. Activated charcoal absorption........................................................................... 23
2.3.2.6. Chemical disinfection.......................................................................................... 24
2.3.2.7. Biosand filtration ................................................................................................. 27
2.4. Bio-Sand Filtration ..................................................................................................... 27
2.4.1. Biosand filter development ................................................................................... 27
2.4.2. Biosand filter components..................................................................................... 28
2.4.3 Types of Biosand filters .......................................................................................... 29
2.5. Advantages and limitations of using Biosand filters............................................. 30
2.5.1. Advantages; ............................................................................................................ 30
2.5.2 Limitations of Biosand filters.................................................................................. 30
2.6. Operation and Maintenance..................................................................................... 31
2.6.1. Biosand Filter Operation........................................................................................ 31
2.6.2. Maintaining the Biosand Filter.............................................................................. 33
Tumusakye Sharon & Oyokarach Job Douglash vii
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY ................................................................................ 34
3.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 34
3.1 Sampling....................................................................................................................... 34
3.2. Sample size................................................................................................................. 34
3.3 Data Collection Techniques........................................................................35
3.3.3. Questionnaires;....................................................................................................... 35
CHAPTER FOUR FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION OF RESULTS...................................... 41
4.0. Introduction................................................................................................................ 41
4.1. WATER QUALITY TEST............................................................................................. 41
4.1.2. Discussion of the water quality test results ....................................................... 43
4.1.2.1. Turbidity ............................................................................................................... 43
4.1.3. Microbial Results..................................................................................................... 44
4.1.3.2. Total Coliform Results ........................................................................................ 45
4.1.4. Chemical Test Results............................................................................................ 46
4.1.5. Conclusion for the water quality test results ..................................................... 49
4.2. EFFECTS OF USERS’ PRACTICES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF BIOSAND
FILTERS............................................................................................................................... 50
Discussion of the physical observation results.............................................................. 51
4.2.1.1. Spouts Attachment ............................................................................................. 51
4.2.1.2. Diffuser Plate and basin..................................................................................... 52
4.2.1.3. Sand Layer........................................................................................................... 53
4.2.1.4. Water level........................................................................................................... 54
4.2.1.5. Cracks in Concrete Body.................................................................................... 55
4.2.1.6. Filters’ lids ............................................................................................................ 55
4.2.2. Questionnaire Results............................................................................................ 55
4.3.1.1. Turbidity;.............................................................................................................. 59
4.3.1.2. E. Coli and Total Coliform;................................................................................. 60
4.3.2 Hand dug well .......................................................................................................... 60
Tumusakye Sharon & Oyokarach Job Douglash viii
4.3.2.1. Turbidity;.............................................................................................................. 61
4.3.2.2. E. Coli and Total Coliform;................................................................................. 61
4.3.3. Unprotected spring................................................................................................. 61
4.3.3.1. Turbidity;.............................................................................................................. 62
4.3.3.2.E. Coli and Total Coliform;.................................................................................. 62
4.3.4. Protected springs.................................................................................................... 62
4.3.4.1. Turbidity;.............................................................................................................. 63
4.3.4. 2. E. Coli and Total Coliform; ............................................................................... 63
4.4. Chlorine Tables ......................................................................................................... 64
4.5. Cost Analysis ............................................................................................................. 64
CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS......................................... 65
5.1. Conclusion................................................................................................................... 65
5.2. Recommendations for Action................................................................................... 65
REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................... 67
APPENDICES....................................................................................................................... 69
APPENDIX 1: WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS RESULTS FOR TURBIDITY AND pH ..... 69
APPENDIX 2: WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS RESULTS FOR MICROBIAL AND IRON. 70
APPENDIX 3. QUESTIONNAIRE FOR HOUSEHOLD USING BIOSAND FILTERS ....... 71
KAMPALA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY........................ 71
PHYSICAL OBSERVATION BY THE RESEACHER ........................................................... 73
APPENDIX 4. WATER QUALITY SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS FORM FOR RAW WATER
FROM THE COLLECTION CONTAINER/ JERRICANS .................................................... 75
SAMPLING DATA................................................................................................................ 75
APPENDIX 5 WATER QUALITY SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS FORM FOR FILTERED
WATER ................................................................................................................................ 76
ABSTRACT The project was conducted in Orom Sub-County, Kitgum District to evaluate the effectiveness of the existing Biosand Filters in removing pathogens and Suspended Particles in water. The continuous use of unsafe water for domestic purposes due to limited access to safe water, the increasing demand coupled with the high population growth rate and resettlement of the displaced population has caused outbreak of water related diseases such as typhoid, diarrhea, dysentery and cholera among others especially in the rural areas of Kitgum District. The overall objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of the existing Biosand filters to remove pathogens and suspended particles in water and provide safe water within the Uganda national standards for drinking water. This was made possible by carrying out water quality analysis for raw water and filtered water from the filters, assessing the effects of user practices on the filter performance and lastly assessing the performance of the filter using different water sources. The techniques that were employed in data collection included observations, interview that was supported by use of questionnaires, laboratory tests for some key parameters for drinking water, library search, and internet. The data was then processed and analyzed using Microsoft excel spread sheet, and presented using figures, tables, frequencies and graphs. Biosand filter is 96% effective in removing coliform in water and very effective in removing turbidity since all the filtered water met the National standard of turbidity which is 10NTU. Users’ practices affect the performance of the Biosand filters. The type of source water passed through the filter and the level of contamination. The most efficient filters were filters using Borehole water source and was worst with unprotected spring water. Therefore, filters are more effective in treating source water with low turbidity. Biosand filters should continue being used a long side chlorine tablets to remove the remaining 4% of the coliform. Users of BSFs need to be trained on the maintenance of the filters. This should be followed with a monitoring plan to ensure operation and maintenance procedures are followed as this will improve on the performance of the filters.
