This paper reports the performance of a low-cost home water filter, with ir
on hydroxide-coated sand as medium, in removing turbidity, bacteria and vir
uses from water. Performance of the water filter was evaluated in long-dura
tion laboratory tests employing a sewage-spiked canal water (turbidity 20-5
0 NTU; heterotrophic bacteria 800-4700 CFU/mL; faecal coliforms 60-400 MPN/
100 mL) and a poliovirus-spiked canal water (turbidity 28-52 NTU; faecal co
liforms 4-93 MPN/100 mL; poliovirus 90-190 MPNCU/mL), mimicking home treatm
ent of water. A substantial improvement in aesthetic and microbiological qu
ality of the waters was effected. Effluent (filtered water) characteristics
were: turbidity 2-3 NTU, heterotrophic bacteria < 500 CFU/mL, faecal colif
orms 3-4 MPN/100 mL, and poliovirus 8-19 MPNCU/mL. Silver-incorporated medi
um produced only a marginally superior effluent in terms of heterotrophic b
acteria and faecal coliforms, even though silver incorporation effected sub
stantial inactivation of bacteria on the medium. A procedure is suggested f
or renewing/replenishing the medium when it loses its effectiveness. Becaus
e of its low cost (material and fabrication cost: Rs. 200 and cost of mediu
m: Rs. 80; 1 pound = Rs. 70) and simple operation, the water filter appears
promising for use in rural areas of developing countries. The water filter
should be subjected to field testing to assess long-term effects on perfor
mance.