Association for the Development of Pakistan

**Tarim Wasim** · Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 12:13 pm Post subject: AHD Bio-Sand Water Filters

Folks,

SF has been evaluating a project from AHD, an NGO working in rural Sindh, for the past few months. They have asked for $900 in funding to install low cost bio-sand filters to help 100 familes get clean drinking water in the villages. The need has become particularly acute after the heavy monsoons, which have contaminated the local water supply.

Here's my current hypothesis on the project's attractiveness:

Critical Need: High. AHD suggests there is a high incidence of water-borne diseases in the area, and these filters have reduced diseases where installed.
Cost-effective impact: High. Spending $10 to provide clean drinking water to a family for 2 years appears to be a high social return.
Sustainability: Medium. The life of these filters is 2 years, so I'd rank this in line with our tube well project in Multan jail.
Measurability: We have not asked AHD to put monitoring in place, but I am quite sure they will be able to do follow-up surveys for us given their willingness to answer questions to date and be responsive.
Team: The team appears quite smart and responsive and has been working in the area for a while, though we have not done any site visits or reference checks.

The key next steps would be to:
- Verify that these bio-sand filters are effective through conversations with development experts
- Do a site visit to the proposed villages to verify need and see prior AHD work
- Work out metrics
- Reference checks on AHD

I am attaching some answers to our questions that we received from AHD, as well as more details on the nature of these filters. Please post any thoughts or questions here.

Thanks,
Tarim

**Tarim Wasim** · Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 6:37 pm Post subject:

From Jessica:

Much of the text, as well as two figures, in the AHD Nadi filter document
can be found elsewhere, for example at http://www.cms-uk.org/water/construction.htm . This site also includes links to more detailed information about how the Lower Sindh Regional Development Association has trained people to build and maintain the filters themselves.
Additional technical information about biosand filters is available at www.biosandfilter.org.

I agree that we should go ahead with the next steps in the project.

-Jessica

Danish Saleem · Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 10:49 pm Post subject:

I heard more rain is on its way in Sindh.

Danish Saleem · Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 8:48 pm Post subject:

We were able to arrange a site visit to Jati and also to a village where there is a Nadi filter already installed.

The visitor (Meer Mohammad Palijo) was really impressed by how much Nadi Filters can clean dirty water.

It takes about 15 mins for one 'balti' (about 3-4 gallons) to come through the filter. Filtered water is being used for drinking only and about 6-7 familes rely on it. The dirty water that is filtered comes from 'nali'( drainage system?).

They are certainly in need of it and the rain has only made the situation worse.

There are a couple of issues that we need further clarification son so Tarim will get in touch with Khursheed Bhati to get furhter information them.

Jessica Hirschfelder

Although the life of a filter is only 2 years, the project's sustainability
could actually be much higher.

It is possible that if an expired filter is completely dismantled and the
components individually and thoroughly washed, the filter could be rebuilt
using almost all of the original materials. However, even if this is not
the case, because the filter design uses materials that are for the most part cheap and easily obtained, the factor limiting the project's sustainability may not be the raw materials but rather the knowledge needed to build the filters.

The Lower Sindh Rural Development Association (sorry I previously wrote Regional) has addressed this issue with their Filter Teacher Training School, which trains people to teach others how to make the filters. The goal seems to be to build up a knowledge base in the village so that in the future people will be able to make and fix the filters themselves, without needing outside experts to come in and do it for them. If AHD can successfully implement such
a program, the project could potentially be sustainable indefinitely.

-Jessica

**Tarim Wasim** · Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2007 3:13 pm Post subject:

Folks,

AHD sent us the preliminary report below on Jan 9th, at which point they had installed 25 of the Nadi filters and were planning to install the other 75 by the end of the month. I've been in touch with Khurshid since, and they are planning to send us another report soon with the latest details.

I'll keep everyone posted!

-Tarim

1. 100 Nadi units material procurement
The survey was conducted in the nearby cities for the purchase of the 100 Nadi filter units and we find that the Nadi’s are in shortage and not available in market due to heavy rain occurred in the month of December 19th 2006, than we visit the Nadi maker in other cities and finally placed ordered for the 100 Nadi filter units.
The other material is purchased and transported to Jati area with 25 Nadi filter units in the by 20th Dec 2006.
The material purchase details:
1. 100 Pipe plastic one inch in diameter and 2.5 ft long
2. 100 Taps for small Nadi storage
3. 100 sets of nets (each set contains three types of nets)
4. 100 Mattakas & 100 Nadi units are in process

Note: 75 Nadi units will be reached at Jati area office by 16th Jan 2007 and hopefully we finish its distribution and installation by 30th Jan 2007.

2. Transportation to Jati area
The material was purchased from the Matli and Mirpurkhas. 25 Nadi units from Mirpurkhas and 75 from Matli through 2 Mazda trucks to Jati area.

3. Action plan for the month of Jan 2007

We are busy to install 75 more Nadi filter units in Jati area within this month to meet our target. As we received the approval in winter season and some time winter season Nadi manufacturing is late because un-availability of wood etc. reports from Nadi makers.

We will send narrative and financial report to ADP by 30th Jan 2007. The Nadi filter installation complete report and its success in the Jati area is very high and communities really enjoying with this filter.

Happy New Year from the AHD Board members and staff and hope this new year will increase linkages between AHD & ADP.

For more information please feel to contact us:

Report Prepared by:

A. Khurshid Bhatti
President
Association for Humanitarian Development (AHD)
House # 60/A, Block-C, Unit No. 6, Latifabad
Hyderabad Sindh Pakistan
Ph: +92-22-2933236, 8330582
E-mail: ahdpak@yahoo.com
Website: www.ahdpak.org

**Tarim Wasim** · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 7:44 pm Post subject: AHD Project Report

We've received our first project report from AHD. All 100 water filters have been successfully installed. They are separately sending receipts.

Thanks to everyone for their work on this, and let me know if you have any questions.

Best,
Tarim