EcoFiltro

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$156.01

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Create Good Foundation and the JS Hussey Foundation have helped expand Ecofiltro’s production capacity to help reach more families in rural Guatemala. The filters are directly distributed by Ecofiltro and through a network of local distributors in both rural areas and urban areas.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Purifaaya, CeraMaji, Arcifiltro, Tirtacupumanik (TCM), Silver Filter, and CT Filtron.

Regions

Europe

Countries

Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, United States

Manufacturing/Building Method

Ecofiltros are designed and manufactured from locally sourced materials in Guatemala in the Ecofiltro factory located in Aldea San Lorenzo El Cubo Ciudad Vieja, Sacatepéquez. The new facility, built in 2012, has the capacity of producing 20,000 filters per month.

Intellectural Property Type

Trademark

User Provision Model

Ecofiltros are available in Guatemala at Ecofiltro and through a network of local distributors in rural and urban areas. They can be purchased at CEMACO, Walmart, Maxi Despensa, EPA, Novex, Oakland Mall, Miraflores, eskala, Pradera Concepción, Naranjo Mall, or ordered online to other near-by countries.

Distributions to Date Status

Over 500,000 filters have been distributed throughout Guatemala. From 2014 to 2018, 27,980 filters were given to 4,642 schools, reaching 839,400 children in the Ecofiltro School program.

Design Specifications

Ecofiltros are composed of a ceramic filtering unit (made of clay, saw dust and colloidal silver) that hangs inside a container equipped with a top and a spigot for the filtered water. In the filtering unit the fired clay produces microscopic pores that trap turbidity and bacteria. The saw dust converts to activated carbon which helps eliminate color, smell and bad taste. The colloidal silver eliminates remaining bacteria.

The outside container can be made of different materials (enamelware, ceramic, clay, plastic or stainless steel) and comes in different colors/designs. Most filters have a capacity of 20 L to serve a family of 5-6 people, with a flow rate of 1-2 L/hour. Smaller versions carry 6 L and serve 1-2 cups of water/hour or 500mL. For optimal performance, Ecofiltros should be filled with water and kept to the top.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Rural and urban distributers are trained by Ecofiltro to be filter advisers and provide post-sales service. For technical support users should contact their direct distributer. ^{Interview with representative}

Replacement Components

The filtering unit must be replaced every two years. It can be bought separately from Ecofiltros.

Lifecycle

The ceramic filter unit should be replaced every two years. A sticker is included in each box for the user to document the installation date + 2 years for anticipated replacement. The used filter unit can then be used as a flower pot after its two years of use. Interview with representative.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Ecofiltros states its goals as both related to improving human health through the sale and distribution of water filters, and to reducing the human carbon footprint by reducing energy demand and water use.

Vetted Performance Status

Filters that have been in use from 0 to 24 months have been tested by 2 different local labs with international certification, Soluciones Analíticas and Contro-Lab for bacteria reduction, and by Ambitek Services for removal of tubidity, disolved solids, and residual chlorine. Interview with representative.

Safety

This product cannot be used to filter sea water, water that has been chlorinated, or water with too much sediment as the pores will get clogged. Muddy water should be left for to disaggregate before pouring into the filter. Alternatively, water with heavy sediment must be filtered through a cloth before entering the filter.

Complementary Technical Systems

No complementary technical systems are required. If desired, wooden bases can be purchased locally.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

Ecofilters are in compliance with COGUANOR Guatemalan regulation and meet regulations in other countries where they are distributed in order to be authorized to be sold in the market. Interview with representative.

Evaluation methods

This product is tested for removal of E. coli, coliform and aerobic bacteria in two certified third-party laboratories in Guatemala and also tested for removal of tubidity, disolved solids and residual chlorine by Ambitek Services. Interview with representative.

Other Information

Ecofiltro has received numerous awards for the product’s effectiveness and for the company’s delivery model in the field.

Ecofiltro manufacturing facility video (visual)

Ecofilter Installation, use and maintenance video (español)