Start Date: 2013-11-01

Completion Date: 2014-10-31

Technology Used:

As Aqua Clara is introducing a new Technology into their program, we will use a multi level approach in order to provide as much exposure as possible for the entrepreneurs and their markets.

We will provide 2 types of hollow fiber filtrations systems:

1. Household filter - which can be configured to provide 150 - 300 liters of clean water per day. This initial set of 500 Household filters will be spread throughout the Kisii and Eldoret regions to ensure maximum exposure and feedback from various applications.

Aqua Clara will use our existing network of Community Development Entrepreneurs (CDE's) and Community Health Promoters (CHP's) working out of our partner schools to implement the project.

Training:
Aqua Clara will initiate the project with an all staff, CDE and CHP training on Hollow Fiber technology, the ACI filter systems, maintenance, marketing, sales, and implementation plan.
Once the CHPs and CDE's can adequately present, sell, install, and maintain the new products, then ACI will begin marketing the products.

Marketing:
ACI will provide sample filters for each of the CHP's, CDE's, and ACI staff members to use in their homes for 1 month. In addition, ACI will also approach selected school administrators, district officers, village chiefs, regional governors, radio hosts, and businesses and provide them with a sample Household filter to use as well.
After one month of use, the CHP's will conduct their first round of evaluations from the selected recipients, and will culminate in a CDE and CHP meeting to review the evaluations. The CHP and CDE group leaders will then develop a Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP) on how to market, sell, monitor and evaluate the product effectively.

In coordination with the DIP, ACI staff will encourage the recipients of the sample units to give endorsement of the products via radio, signed letter, or verbal recognition at potential marketing events being held in community market places or partner schools.

Sales and Implementation:
Each CDE will be provided with 10 household filters as a micro-loan for sale in their respective communities and towns. Once the sales and installations have been made, the CDE will keep the agreed upon profit, and repay ACI for the materials cost. ACI will then use the money to resupply the CDE with 10 additional filters, thus creating a revolving fund for continued sales and self-sustainability.

Monitoring and Evaluation:
The CHP will conduct their initial evaluation of each household filter after one month of use, ensuring the end user is satisfied with its performance and understand the required maintenance. The CHP will enter all of the data from the evaluation forms into a smart phone app which will upload to a server once she is has internet access. She will also provide the end user with a Health and Hygiene presentation ensuring the end user is aware and can implement simple health and hygiene techniques.

2. Facility Filtration System: - which is designed to produce up to 6000 liters of clean water per day. These 5 Facility Filtration Systems will be installed in larger schools where rainwater harvesting systems had been installed and where the need for clean water is greatest.

ACI will select the top CDE's to be trained on the installation, maintenance, and training of users on the Facility Filtration Systems. Along with the New Programs Manager, these CDE's will install the systems in each school, receiving hands on experience and providing the necessary information for each school administrator on the use and maintenance of each system.
These CDE's will become specialized in maintenance, follow up, and troubleshooting problems that could potentially arise with the Facility systems, and be a part of any solutions or redesigning necessary to improve the existing models.

Once the Facility systems are installed, ACI will provide water samples to the Kenyan Bureau of Standards (KEBS) for thorough water testing. Once the systems have been approved by KEBS, ACI will allow the schools to begin providing water to their students and the surrounding community.

During the monthly Health Clubs being held at the schools, the CHP's will evaluate the Facility systems, and provide feedback during the CHP monthly meetings at the ACI office.

TECHNOLOGY
Hollow Fiber Membrane / Ultrafiltration (UF) Technology

Ultra-filtration is used in water filtration systems to remove bacteria, algae, cysts, parasites and microbial contaminants. The Aqua Clara range of water filters use hollow fiber ultra-filtration (UF) membrane technology and combines it with sand filtration producing robust and inexpensive water filtration capabilities. The hollow fiber UF membranes are made from polymeric material and resemble straight lengths of noodles that are hollow on the inside.

On the surface are very tiny tightly controlled microscopic pores that range from 0.1 to 0.2 micron in size. The pores have the ability to stop the passage of particles, turbidity and pathogens such as bacteria, algae, cysts and parasites but allow water and natural, healthy essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium to flow through. The result is a consistent supply of high quality treated water.

Using only the existing water pressure from your water supply, water passes through the water filter and provides safe, clean filtered water on demand. No electricity or additional chemicals are needed.

By combining Sand, an ancient filtration technology, and the modern Hollow Membrane Technology, Aqua Clara filters are scalable and can now produce from 150 ltrs – 10,000 ltrs of 99.99% bacteria free clean water a day. ACI's facility filters have been installed and are producing pure water at school and village sites in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, India, Kenya, Tanzania, Nicaragua, and Peru.

Phases:

The project will be implemented in several phases:

1. Training
2. Marketing
3. Implementation
4. Monitoring and Evaluation

Community Organization:

ACI does not implement any project without the invitation of local administration and local schools. Using local entrepreneurs ensures the community is involved and there is local ownership as each project is demand driven. IF there is no local demand, then the entrepreneurs inform ACI that the product or project is not acceptable.
Prior to initiating a project, ACI involves the local authorities, gaining their feedback and support. With the support of District Officers, Village Chiefs, and School administrator, ACI has found people to be more accepting and willing to participate.

Using schools as a catalyst for information and technology transfer has been highly successful as the children and school personnel are able to provide feedback to the community on products, ideas and projects implemented by ACI.

Government Interaction:

In order to work within public schools, ACI receives approval from the regional or district Ministry of Education. This approval verifies that ACI programs are in line with the National Curriculum and are then supported by the school administration.

ACI also works under the supervision of the Kenyan Bureau of Standards. Every large school / community filter system must be tested and approved prior to ACI delivering water for consumption by the public. Receiving the KEBS approval for ACI Water filtration products provides the CDE's and ACI with government verification / approval and instills confidence for the end user in the quality of ACI products.

Ancillary activities:

By providing Point Of Use (POU) water filtration systems, end users do not have to purchase or collect as much firewood to boil their water. This provides more time for the mothers to work in their gardens or take care of other duties. In addition, fewer trees are destroyed for fuel and fewer trips to the clinic are needed for water born diseases.

By providing access to clean water via schools allows students to remain in class, rather than collecting contaminated water for their daily drinking needs. This results in more time in class with healthier students.

By providing products for entrepreneurs and supporting the initiation of small businesses, ACI supports local men and women to supplement their incomes and provide for their families. This local ownership also allows ACI to reach communities and families where ACI staff would never have the opportunity or time to go.

Monitoring and Evaluation via the CHP's offers ACI in depth insight into the daily struggles of families and their needs. Monthly meetings with the CDE's and CHP's are invaluable for information gathering and idea sharing on how ACI can be more effective at the grass roots level in providing clean water options.

Other Issues:

Finances are always at the forefront when working with people in rural areas. Therefore education on the importance of clean water is extremely critical. Once the desire is there for clean water, then affordability and ownership of clean water options is key. Providing business opportunities for entrepreneurs provides ownership and allows the local economy to work all the while bringing clean water to those who can least afford it.