Wood Mold for Concrete BioSand Filters

OHorizons

Wood Mold for Concrete BioSand Filters Contact Solution Provider

Solution Overview & Benefits

The Wood Mold is a mold used to make concrete BioSand filters and is a low-cost alternative to traditional steel molds. Each Wood Mold can produce 50-60 filters depending on the type of wood used and assuming proper care and maintenance. Other features of the Wood Mold include:- Inexpensive: ($50-80 USD per-mold)- Lightweight (approx. 60 pounds)- Locally sourced materials (all materials are purchased in-country and are easily replaced)- Easy to use (no construction experience or specialized tools required)- Can be made off-grid

In order to create the BioSand filter, concrete is poured into the Wood Mold and allowed to cure overnight. The mold form is then removed, leaving the body of the filter, which is the device that households receive in order to purify their water.

BioSand Filters (BSFs) use natural biological processes, sand, and gravel to make contaminated water safe for drinking. Water is poured into the top of the filter and as it moves through various layers of the filter, pathogens and harmful bacteria are filtered out. BSFs are an ideal water filtration solution because they are durable, can be made with local materials and are easy to use. One BSF can produce enough clean water to meet a family’s daily drinking water needs.

History & Development

The Wood Mold has undergone testing in both laboratory and field conditions to ensure it produces quality BioSand Filters. It was successfully implemented in Bangladesh, Ecuador and Mali in 2014. In total, 13 Wood Molds were made in these countries, producing over 250 BioSand Filters. Some of the molds were made using zero electricity and only hand tools.

The Wood Mold Construction Manual and Appendix are available for download on the OHorizons website. They are free to download and use. Members of the OHorizons staff are also available to offer technical assistance and consulting.

Availability

Publicly available: yes
Countries where available: Worldwide
Price range (USD): Free
Available online: yes
Offered or can be licensed for local manufacture: Yes, plans are free online.

Specifications

Weight: 60 pounds

Additional Information

Solution Providers Website (external link) Product Webpage (external link)

Updates

If you are aware of any updates to the Wood Mold for Concrete BioSand Filters project please complete the form or send an email to [email protected]

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