Ceramic water filters became particularly popular in the 1800's in London, when poor water qualities were often reported on. [3] Since then, they spread across the world.

They are an inexpensive water filter which uses the small pore size of the ceramics to filter out impurities. You pour water into the top half, and that water slowly filters into the lower half. Since it only needs gravity and does not cost anything to run, it is a very cost-effective way of filtering water.

Some (though not all) also come with a activated carbon filter to aid in the removal of chemical contaminates (like chlorine) and/or a special silver treatment to help kill bacteria, mold, and algae. [1]

Since many people in the world do not have save drinking water or do not trust the water from their local treatment plants, these filters can provide a filtration method that does not contribute to the use of bottled water.

Note: When treating water directly from a wild water source, it is generally suggested to use a filtration method along with a method of disinfecting (such as boiling). This is because while filtering can remove many dangers, it can not remove viruses. [2]

Maintenance:

The top half should be cleaned regularly to keep the ceramic pours free of impurities. This can be done with soap and water, or just water and a bristle brush.

#water #lowtech