Responsible Agencies:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA
Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO), Nepal
Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Support Programme (RWSSSP), Nepal

Funding Source:
The World Bank, US$115,000 grant

Project Duration:
January 2004 to January 2005

Project Background:
In 2002, MIT, ENPHO, and RWSSSP have developed the Kanchan Arsenic Filter (formerly called Arsenic Biosand Filter) for simultaneous removal of arsenic and pathogens. This filter is designed to treat arsenic and/or microbial contaminated tube well water in rural Terai in household level. The KAF can be constructed by trained local technicians using locally available materials such as iron nails, sand, gravel, plastic buckets, and PVC pipes. A one-year pilot study from 2002-2003 showed high user acceptance and excellent technical performance.

Project Activities:
The objective of this project is to promote the KAF throughout arsenic-affected districts in Terai. A 3-members network consists of MIT, ENPHO, and RWSSSP is responsible to manage and execute project activities.

We have established a KAF Reference Center at ENPHO in Kathmandu to provide comprehensive information and training to all interested groups. Technology details, construction manuals, research findings, information/education materials, and all project-related information are available at the KAF Center.

To make KAFs available to household users, a total of 15 local entrepreneurs from 10 arsenic-affected districts were selected in our program. These entrepreneurs are our local agents to provide KAF to all users. Entrepreneurs construct the KAF with materials purchased from local suppliers. Training to entrepreneurs was given in April 04 and December 04. The entrepreneurs are qualified to construct, install, operate, maintain, and troubleshoot the filter.

We selected 30 arsenic-affected Village Development Committees (total 178 wards) from Kapilvastu, Rupandehi, Nawalparasi, Rautahat, Parsa, and Bara for intensive user orientation and awareness. We provided orientation to VDC members, health posts, teachers, local NGOs, CBOs, and interested agencies about health, water management, treatment options, and KAF information. We conducted 178 ward-level workshops in each of these VDC to educate villagers about health, hygiene, and water-related diseases; to demonstrate KAF operation and maintenance; and to inform how to obtain a KAF.

In addition, we have monitored all of the KAFs distributed by RWSSSP, Nepal Red Cross Society, and Rural Water Supply Sanitation Fund Development Board for two times. Filter information such as user name, number of users, and GPS location has been collected. Technical performance parameters such as arsenic removal, pH, and flow rate were measured and were found to be excellent.

We plan to hold a national workshop in Kathmandu in the summer of 2005 to present our project findings.

This project has raised awareness among rural villagers about water quality and health such that they can make informed decisions to protect their health. The KAF technology is currently available to the grassroots level in a sustainable manner. Over 2000 filters have been distributed by various national and international agencies, serving in excess of 15,000 rural population.

For more information (in Nepal), contact:
Bipin Dongol (bipindan@yahoo.com)
Project Coordinator,
KAF Project/ KAF Reference Center
Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO)
Tel: +977-1-4468641, 4493188

For more information (in United States), contact:
Susan Murcott (murcott@mit.edu)
Lecturer, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tommy Ngai (ngait@mit.edu)
Research Affiliate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology