How to Use and Take Care of The BioSand Filter

How to Use:
1. Use the filter daily- this will maintain the water level 5 cm above the sand (measured during the
pause period) and keep the bio- layer alive.
2. Ensure water quality is from the best possible source. Always use the same source if possible.
If water is very dirty allow the water to settle for 24 hours then pour the clear water
through a fine woven-cloth (folded many times).
3. Ensure the receiving container is clean
4. Add 1 to 5 drops of bleach for each litre (or up to 1 teaspoon per gallon)- for example, if
the container is 20 litres then add at least 20 drops.
5. Remove the filter lid
6. Slowly pour contents of bucket into filter, without letting the sediments, and then replace the lid.
7. When filtration is complete, cover receiving container.
8. Repeat process at least once a day.
9. Clean the spout daily.
10. Do not store food on the diffuser plate.
11. Keeps animals away from the spout and filtered water.

How to Take Care of:

Σ Location - Protected from the weather (dust & wind), birds, animal, mosquitoes and insects. Placing
the filter indoors is preferred.
Σ Level - Filter placed on a level spot- even floor, not slanted, no bumps.
Σ Leaks or Cracks - Drips of water or wet spots under the filter will indicate a leak in the concrete box.
Σ Lid - Clean on the outside and inside; no rotting wood parts; tight fitting but not sealed.
Σ Diffuser - Clean regularly; sand under diffuser should be level and smooth; rotten wood should be replaced;
diffuser should rest securely on the lip. This should be approximately 5 cm ( 2”) above water level.
Σ Sand Level - The surface of the sand should be 5 cm (2”) below the water level. Contact your technician
to add (or remove) sand if this dimension is not correct; the sand should be smooth and level.
Σ Spout - Clean daily; eliminate any direct human and animal contact with spout and filtered water.
Σ Receiving Container - 5-10 cm (2” - 4”) – a small opening will prevent contaminants from entering the
container that now hold treated water. Sanitize the container frequently (every second day) by washing
it with soap and water or with a chlorine cleaning solution. Ensure the container has a lid. Do not scoop
water out of receiving container. It is best to pour the water out.
Σ Flow Rate - Measure the outlet flow rate from the spout when filter reservoir has just been filled with
water; 1 litre/minute (1 quart/minute) is the design rate for the standard concrete filter; if the flow rate is less
than about 0.3 litre/minute (1/3 quart/min), clean the sand in the filter by using the “swirl and dump” technique.

Swirl and Dump

Σ Remove the lid to the filter; remove the diffuser
Σ “Swirl” your hand,(up to the first knuckle), or an appropriate tool,(5cm deep), around in the water at
least 5 times. You will disturb the surface of the sand but don’t mix the surface layer below the
top 5-10 cm of sand. The water above the sand will become dirty.
Σ Scoop out dirty water with small container (i.e. cup or cut open plastic pop bottle) Avoid scooping out sand.
Σ Throw out dirty water outside the house in an appropriate location
Σ Repeat this until all the water has been removed from the filter
Σ Replace diffuser
Σ Add 20 litres or 5 gallons of water- replace lid
Σ Check flow rate
Σ Repeat if flow rate is still low

Last Revised 10/17/2008

 BioSand Filter
• Ensure routine cleaning of the filter (lid, diffuser, spout, outside surfaces)

• The better the raw water is, the better the filtered water will be.

LID - CLEAN
- FITS TIGHTLY DIFFUSER - CLEAN
- PLACED ON LIP
- NO FOOD
NO BLEACH
INSIDE

SPOUT
SAND - CLEAN DAILY
- LEVEL AND SMOOTH - NO ATTACHMENTS
- 5 CM BELOW WATER

CLEAN CONTAINER
NO CRACKS
- SMALL OPENING
OR LEAKS - LID
- DISINFECTED

PLACED LEVEL
INSIDE HOUSE

Last Revised 10/17/2008