Africa Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Africa Water, Sanitation Jan -Feb 2014 Vol.10 No1 | Page 15

New Products
power supply is not available, the units can be provided
with options of either solar power for the light duty
capacities or diesel electric generators for higher capacity.
Some examples of recent projects include in 2013 the
supply of mobile plants to the Rwanda Government for
use in UN supported peace keeping operations. These
units were specified to treat up to 2m3/hr of raw water
per hour and were operated by diesel generators. The units
incorporated a fully automatic back flushing mechanism to
minimise maintenance and service costs.
In 2014 Davis & Shirtliff supplied mobile water
treatment units to South Sudan. These combined both
Ultrafiltration and Reverse Osmosis and provided the
option of treatment by either Ultrafiltration up to a
capacity of 5m3/hr for surface water treatment or to by
Reverse Osmosis up to a capacity of 2m3/hr for highly
mineralized water. With on board diesel generators, these
units have allowed production of clean drinking water
under the most demanding conditions immediately after
arrival on site.
Another interesting supply has been 10 smaller portable
units rated to produce 600l/hr of clean drinking water
for the Athi Water Service Board for use in the counties
it is responsible for. Replaceable sediment cartridge and
ultrafiltration filters are used which remove turbidity
and micro-organisms to produce potable water. Final
purification is done using ultra violet disinfection.
Compactness and portability of these units ensures that
they can be conveniently loaded onto a small vehicle for
delivery to site and they are powered by solar PV modules
feeding batteries ensuring very low maintenance and
operational costs.
In addition six containerized units were also delivered to
handle larger capacity requirements of up to 4m3/hr and
have been supplied to the same customer. Uniquely, the
units are designed to run on either diesel generators or
battery banks. Installation is made quick and easy through
the use of high quality quick connect couplings, flexible
hoses and plug and play connections. An added benefit
is provision of collapsible water storage tanks that are
packed within the containers and can be used to store up
to 5,000 litres of treated water.
Units are mounted on heavy duty trailers for easy delivery
to places of need and they can be quickly set up to purify
water from the nearest available water source. As well as
emergency uses Davis & Shirtliff mobile plants are also
ideal for temporary applications like medical camps, mines,
field camps and military operations as they provide a
simple, reliable and cost effective solution for the supply
of potable water from almost any source. Together with
the wide branch network and qualified service technicians
the plants are fully supported throughout the EA region
and truly reflect the company’s slogan; Water and Energy
Solutions for Africa.

BioFizz, a biological product formulated
to treat septic tanks as well as urban
sanitation systems
BioFizz is a biological
product developed
by CSIR Biosciences,
intended for use
in both septic tank
systems, as well as
conventional urban
lavatories. Septic tank
systems are widely
used in various parts
of South Africa,
Sub-Saharan Africa
as well as in various
BioFizz is a biological sanitation other developing
treatment product intended for use in both countries. Most urban
septic tank systems, as well as conventional
populations in these
urban lavatories
countries are provided
with septic tanks;
although in some other less developed countries, up to 45
% still use traditional pit latrines.
The septic tank system provides a cost-effective on-site
sanitation mechanism, and is the most cost-effective, and
likely the only practical approach for securing the health
benefits associated with hygienic disposal of excreta.
Although its use is advantageous, numerous limitations of
the use of septic tank systems have been reported.
The BioFizz product can also be applied as a biological
alternative in normal domestic water borne sewage
systems, where environmentally aware customers can use
the product to reduce the burden on sewage treatment
facilities and ensure cleaner effluent traps and pipes. Onsite, point-of-source treatments of these septic tanks and
urban lavatory systems are required in order to suitably
treat sewage generated from households. This form of
sanitation is also being adopted by suburban lifestyle
estates and game lodges across Africa.
A scientifically developed, effervescent product was
formulated to release beneficial bacteria into the system
upon application. The incorporated bacterial strain has
the capability of liquefying solids, and reducing waste
ions such as ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, phosphates,
chemical and biological oxygen demand. Various product
prototypes have been formulated and given to various
clients for testing acceptance with their customers.
This product makes possible more hygienic ablution
facilities, reduces burden on existing treatment facilities
and also reduces maintenance costs required to pump out
the contents of full tanks (in the case of septic tanks).
Source: WASHplus
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