The Mor-sand Filter in the

Niger Delta

Kelly Miller
University at Buffalo
Engineers for a Sustainable World-UB
 Outline
• Nigeria Water Overview
• Low-tech Treatment Technologies
– Moringa oleifera
– Biosand Filter
– Mor-sand Filter
• ESW-UB’s role
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Federal Republic of Nigeria Overview

• Population: 131,859,731 (July 2006)

– Estimated 60% pop. living below poverty line
• Area: more than twice the size of CA
– 9 of 36 states in Niger Delta
• Oil and related products are 95% of exports
• $32.45 billion (2005 est.) in external debt
– Receive $250 million from IMF (1998)
 Niger Delta Concerns
• Oil wealth not distributed
• Widespread environmental
degradation
– The pollution of rivers and
creeks1
– Serious public health
problems

[1] “Human Rights & Oil in Nigeria.” 1 August

2004. Amnesty International.
 Water and Sanitation Situation
• Access to safe water
– <1/4 of rural communities
– 60% of urban communities
• Sanitation concerns
– No central sewage
– Open defecation
– Many users per latrine
• Health indicators are low
Rural Africa Water Development Project

• Nigerian social
enterprise
• Will lead marketing
and manufacturing of
Mor-sand filters
 Design Constraints
• (Lack of) Infrastructure
• Existing practices
• Technological capacity
• Materials
• Impact on economy
• Sustainability
Moringa oleifera
 Moringa oleifera Paste
• Preparation
– Naturally dried seeds
– Extract oil
– Grind presscake
– Mix with clean water
• Coagulation
– Dosed into dirty water
– Stir, settle, decant
 Bio-sand Filter
• Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation
Technologies (CAWST) pioneered it
• Slow-sand filtration without backwashing
• Needs ripening period for biological layer
to form
– Impatient user may have poor quality water
Mor-sand Filter
 Mor-sand Filter
• No proprietary chemicals
• Household water treatment
• Combines:
– Properties of powdered Moringa oleifera seed
– Slow sand filteration process
• Use upon installation
• Reduces turbidity, solids, bacteria, hardness,
metals
Filter Construction
Completed Filter in Action
 Positive Impact
• Significant reduction in
intestinal illnesses
• Water disputes reduced
• Capacity Building
• Value-added to local
natural resources
• New markets
 Plans to Upscale
• Plan for 7 states in the Niger Delta
– Imo, Abia, Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Ondo,
and Bayelsa states
• Train 10 young people as filter technicians
• Social marketing to emphasize importance
• Combine with hygiene education
 ESW-UB’s Roles and Goals
• Support RAWDP
– Research and design
– Fundraising
• Engage students
– Understand global issues
– Grasp sustainability
– Experience Africa 1st hand
 Thanks!
• Questions?

• Contact:
– Kelly Miller, esw_ub@yahoo.com
– Joachim Ezeji, ruralafrwadp@yahoo.com