Optimization of preparation parameters of ceramic pot water filters for potential application of microbial and fluoride removal from groundwater

The need to make clean water accessible and affordable for low-income countries is crucial. This study examines the suitability of various clays for Ceramic Pot Water Filters production and groundwater treatment for effective microbe and fluoride removal. For this study, three clays were collected from different geographical locations in Ethiopia,i.e., Hosaenna Clay, Babawuha Clay, and Leku Clay. Organic additives such as sawdust and eragrostis tef husks were used to increase the porosity of the Ceramic Pot Water Filters. The Atterberg limit and particle size distribution tests revealed that BC and HC have moderate to high plasticity and mouldability, making them suitable for CPWF production. The clay chemical composition, phase analysis, and thermal properties were determined using XRF, XRD, and TGA/DTA. The turbidity, fluoride level, total dissolved solids, and pH of the groundwater decreases, from 13 to 0.45 NTU, from 3.4 to 0.053 mg/100 mL, from 1245 to 360 mg/l, and from 8.4 to 7.3, respectively; all of which are within the acceptable range of WHO drinking water standards. Microbial removal tests show that the CPWFs removed 99.3%–100% of total coliform bacteria and 98.48%–100% of fecal coliform bacteria from groundwater. Therefore, this work paves the way to fabricate a clay-based ceramic water filter for low-income countries to provide affordable household groundwater treatment technology for microbial and excess fluoride removal.