Aqua Filter
Drink Clean, Stay Green
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Our Goals
Our Goals
SDG 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases
Reduce waterborne disease transmission by improving microbial water quality at the point of collection
Provide a passive treatment system that helps underserved communities access drinking water without complex infrastructure
Support global health improvement by lowering preventable illness and mortality rates linked to contaminated water.
The Problem
The Problem
Unsanitary Water affects billions:
2.1 billion people lack access to clean drinking water, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, South/Southeast Asia, and parts of South America
Even in the U.S, about 6,600 deaths occur annually from water-borne diseases
3.5 million deaths annually from contaminated water; ~115 deaths per hour due to poor sanitation
Unsafe water contributes to 90% of diarrheal deaths, killing 900 children under 5 years old every day.
Waterborne illnesses (such as E. coli, cholera) cause over 500,000 deaths yearly and contribute to malnutrition, skin diseases, and cancers
This crisis disproportionately affects children, with 117,000 children in Nigeria alone dying from water-related illnesses annually.
Up to 70% of water is contaminated at the point of consumption, often due to sewage leaking into water sources or open defecation.
Why Current Solutions Fail
Why Current Solutions Fail
Many conventional water treatment systems rely on large-scale plants that require electricity and trained personnel
Even though household filters exist, most of them are too expensive for long-term use
Existing portable filters often clog quickly, lose effectiveness over time, or require cleaning procedures that are too difficult to follow.
Our Solution
We developed a low-cost, floating water filtration system using recycled polypropylene and high-porosity ceramic foam. The design leverages affordable materials and passive biofilm-based purification to improve water quality, making it a scalable solution for communities with limited access to clean water.
Structure:
Top Outer Frame: Recycled Polypropylene (lightweight, waterproof, chemically inert).
A folding handle on the top, so that when handled, the user will not touch the biofilm directly.
Will float in water (density of 0.91 g/cm³).
Inner Frame: Ceramic foam
Ceramic foam is highly porous, with about 94-96% air by volume.
Has a very high surface area, meaning more biofilm coating can attach to the internal sponge surface.
Bottom Frame: Perforated recycled polypropylene to keep the core in place. Perforated to allow the water to flow.
AquaFilter's Deployment
AquaFilter's Deployment
Aquafilter is designed for large-scale manufacturing and distribution to rural communities, particularly in Africa, where access to clean, treated water is limited due to geographic isolation and lack of infrastructure. The devices can be distributed via local and regional organizations partnered with the United Nations.
The low-cost passive design allows for easy deployment without electricity or personnel training. This allows widespread use in underserved regions. Improving access to cleaner water, AquaFilter can help reduce waterborne diseases, improve public health, and encourage daily life in these communities.
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