Installation of Bio-Sand Filters in Petite Paradise, Haiti

A project team from Florida State University (Tallahassee) has made 2 trips to a coastal Haitian village, Petite Paradise, to determine the quality of available water resources and best management practices for improving access to sanitation and high-quality potable water (2008-2009). The discussed work highlights the efforts of the project team with regards to selection and construction of a sustainable, point-of-use water treatment technology, bio-sand filtration. The bio-sand filter was installed at a village well downgradient from an outdoor latrine facility. Water quality analysis at the well found total coliform counts of ∼10,000 cfu. The project will include analysis of water quality at the well following adequate formation of bio-active layer in the installed sand filter.