Biosand Filter Performance: The Multi-Faceted Aspects of Poverty Observed in Sisit, Kenya, 2014.
Authors: E. Davis Lacey, Laura W. Lackey
The purpose of this research endeavor was to examine how various technical, geographical, and socioeconomic parameters affected biosand filter (BSF) performance in Sisit, Kenya. In 2010, Mercer students installed 25 BSFs throughout the village of Sisit. As part of the 2012 Mercer on Mission trip to Sisit, each previously installed filter’s performance parameters (flow rate, % coliform removal, etc.) were compared to respective distances, populations, and levels of affluence. Analysis illustrated that the distance between a household and the community center is highly correlated to various aspects of BSF performance. A relationship was also shown to exist between a BSF’s coliform removal efficiency and the distance between the associated household and water collection point.
