UZ-XL Large Capacity Water Filter

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$450.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Community, Public Sector Agencies, NGOs

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Uzima Clean Water Mission is an organization that coordinates the purchase of products for communities by NGOs. In Kenya, this product has been implemented by NGOs such as e3kids, Just One Africa, and Pregis. In Nigeria, IPG is a key distributor of the product. The product has also been implemented by HOI in Honduras. The product can be purchased through the Uzima website, the company offers different pricing for retail and non-profit purchase by humanitarian organization partners.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Sawyer Point ZeroTwo Water Purifier and Grifaid Community Filter.

Manufacturing/Building Method

The product is designed and manufactured in the USA by Uzima. The product includes 5 main parts: water input assembly, primary filter, secondary filter, rubber tubing, and water output assembly. The assembly of the product is detailed by the manufacturer.

Intellectural Property Type

Trademark

User Provision Model

The product is largely marketed for purchase and distribution by humanitarian organizations. Alternatively, users can obtain the product directly from Uzima.

Distributions to Date Status

The exact number is unknown. However, it is estimated that over 6,000 products have been implemented as of 2017 through distributor Just One Africa.

Design Specifications

The filtration system consists of a primary and secondary filter, with the backflushing process occurring in-line. Each filter contains bundles of hollow fibers designed to allow only water molecules to pass through the filter, filtering out anything larger than 0.1 microns (bacteria, cysts, protozoa). Valves located on the water input and water output assembly parts allow for control of water flow and operating mode. In standard operating mode, all valves are orientated horizontally. Water flows from the water input tubing, through the primary filter, and exits the system purified by the water output tubing.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

The product requires regular cleaning to ensure proper operation. The manufacturer provides detailed documentation for product operating modes: standard, backflush, and cleaning configurations.

Replacement Components

Rubber tubing is listed as a replacement component.

Lifecycle

The filter has an expected lifespan of 10 years.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

The product is designed to treat water to the safety standards of WHO.

Vetted Performance Status

Performance in the field by independent research has found 6 log (coliform) reduction through the use of the UZ-XL filter.

Safety

Regular cleaning of the system is required to ensure that water is safe to consume.

Complementary Technical Systems

Safe water storage systems.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) goals for microbiological reduction were used to assess the UZ-1 filter, by BCA Laboratories. The study found that the filters were able to reduce bacteria levels by log 6 (coliform). Compliance with WHO performance metrics for the reduction of bacteria and protozoa.

Evaluation methods

Effective removal of coliforms, in compliance with WHO safe water drinking guidelines, is cited as an evaluation criterion by the manufacturers.

Other Information

Uzima has a number of products for personal and household use, available via their website.