Investigation of the Potters for Peace Colloidal Silver- Impregnated Ceramic Filter: Intrinsic Effectiveness and Field Performance in Rural Nicaragua

Potters for Peace is a US-based NGO that manufactures colloidal silver-impregnated ceramic filters in developing countries, and partners with local NGOs who independently implement safe water programs. This study investigated the intrinsic effectiveness and field performance of the PFP filter by administering a survey to families using the filter, completing water quality analyses of preand post-filtration water in rural homes, and investigating the relationship between filtration rate, colloidal silver application, and bacterial inactivation. Results agree with historical data and show that the PFP filter is capable of removing 100 percent of bacterial indicators of disease-causing organisms. Although the ceramic filter alone removes a majority of the indicators, the colloidal silver is necessary to achieve 100-percent removal. However, research in homes indicates that an educational component including safe storage, cleaning procedures, and followup visits is necessary to ensure the intrinsic effectiveness of this filter is matched in the field. Further research on removal rates of protozoa, viruses, and contaminants, and the resistance of the colloidal silver layer to scrubbing, is needed. These results detail that, with an educational component, the PFP filter is an effective and appropriate technology that improves water quality