The Pure Water Program

The second presenter was Mieko Morgan, wife of Jon Morgan. Mieko is Siem Reap Water Quality Manager for Health, Pure Water and Literacy Programs and described the process for bringing clean water to villages and homes. A process developed in Calgary, Canada is being used but is built in Cambodia. It involve a form 30” square and 36” high as concrete is readily available. Into this concrete form is a layer of gravel and a layer of sand and has a copper pipe at the bottom, curving up and then protruding to the outside of the fram as a spout.

Water is added to the top and is allowed to settle through the sand and gravel layers. This creates a bio layer on top from the impurities filtered out of the water. Adding water (1 liter/day minimum) keeps the biolayer rejuvenated.

To obtain a filter for a village, a group of 30 families must get together and request it, agreeing to use and maintain it. A contract is made with the villagers which includes that if they do not use or maintain it, it will be removed. Depepending on the usage, cleaning is required about once a month. If the water is very dirty, it is best to let it sit before it is added to the filter and prevent overloading the biolayer. To get more information on this system, visit http://www.waterforcambodia.org/
By Lee Sneddon