A simple and effective arsenic filter based on composite iron matrix: Development and deployment studies for groundwater of Bangladesh

Abstract

Drinking groundwater contaminated with naturally occurring arsenic is a worldwide public health issue. This work describes the research, development and distribution of a filter used by thousands of people in Bangladesh to obtain arsenic-free safe water. The filter removes arsenic species primarily by surface complexation reactions: = FeOH + H2AsO4 − → = FeHAsO4 − + H2O (K = 1024) and = FeOH + HAsO4 2− → = FeAsO4 2 − + H2O (K = 1029) on a specially manufactured composite iron matrix (CIM). The filter water meets WHO and Bangladesh standards, has no breakthrough, works without any chemical treatment (pre- or post-), without regeneration, and without producing toxic wastes. It costs about $40/5 years and produce 20–30 L/hour for daily drinking and cooking need of 1–2 families. The spent material is completely non toxic-solid self contained iron-arsenate cement that does not leach in rainwater. Approved by the Bangladesh Government, about 30,000 SONO filters were deployed all over Bangladesh and continue to provide more than a billion liters of safe drinking water. This innovative filter was also recognized by the National Academy of Engineering – Grainger Challenge Prize for sustainability with the highest award for its affordability, reliability, ease of maintenance, social acceptability, and environmental friendliness, which met or exceeded the local government's guidelines for arsenic removal.