Implementation of the KanchanTM Arsenic Filter in Rural Nepal

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Implementation of the KanchanTM Arsenic Filter in
Rural Nepal Susan Murcott, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (murcott_at_mit.edu)
The Problem Although access to safe drinking is a
basic human right, 1.1 billion people in the
world are denied this right. Two of the most
common drinking water contaminants in the
developing world are arsenic and pathogens.
Arsenic is a poison that causes skin lesions and
cancer. Water-borne pathogens, such as viruses
and bacteria, can cause diarrhea, cholera,
stunting, etc. It is estimated that 0.7 millions
in rural Nepal are affected by arsenic, and many
more by pathogens. Despite growing recognition
of the immediacy of this crisis, many previous
aid projects have failed in rural areas because
of the choice of unsustainable technologies
and/or inappropriate implementation. As a
result, people have no choice but to continue to
drink unsafe water. Often women and children are
most vulnerable to these preventable water-borne
diseases.
Children drinking directly from a tube well
The Solution A team comprised of researchers
at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and two
Nepali NGO partners (ENPHO and RWSSSP) developed
a low-cost (US16), innovative household water
filter, the KanchanTM Arsenic Filter (KAF),
constructed using locally available labor and
materials. The design is optimized based on the
socio-economic conditions in rural Nepal.
The components of the KAF
KAF in operation
Achievements The KAF design and implementation
won a US10,000 award at the MIT IDEAS
Competition 2002 and a US115,000 award at the
World Bank Development Marketplace Competition
2003. In 2004, the team established an
in-country technology dissemination and
implementation center and built local capacity in
arsenic-affected villages towards long-term,
self-reliant, user-participatory safe water
provision, involving training of local women,
entrepreneurs, trainers, teachers, and
authorities. A total of 26 entrepreneurs from 10
arsenic-affected districts have been trained in
filter construction, operation, and maintenance
techniques. Education and capacity-building
workshops have been conducted in 150 villages.
Over 1,000 KAFs have been distributed by agencies
including the Nepal Red Cross Society, RWSSSP,
Filters for Families, Department of Education,
Rural Water Supply Fund Development Board, etc.
It is expected by Dec 2004, over 2,000 KAFs will
be in use, serving over 15,000 people.
Evaluation on this project is showing excellent
technical performance. Users express strong
acceptance and satisfaction of the KAF.
Prominent NGOs in Nepal and the Nepali government
consider the KAF as the best among all household
filters available.
Education workshop in the village of Kunwar
Next Steps Building on the success of the
2004 implementation activities, we are seeking
funding now for additional education and
capacity-building programs to be conducted in
2005 and beyond to reach the rest of the affected
population in Nepal and beyond.
Acknowledgements MIT Nepal Water Project, MIT
Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
Lemelson Foundation, MIT IDEAS Competition PSC,
The World Bank, Stanford University, Japanese Red
Cross Society, NRCS, RWSSFDB, Filters for
Families, Kathmandu University, Tribhuvan
University, ENPHO, RWSSSP