Eleven Steps to a BioSand Filter Program

(Aimed at a Program Implementer – could be Trainer or NGO or Individual)

1. Decide on your commitment

This is a very important step in which you should really think hard and long about your
commitment and your high level goals. This will dictate the degree of detail and scope of the
program. No matter what you decide you want to do, there is always a role that you can fulfil
in a filter program. Of course, you can do far different things if you decide to work for three
years in a developing country compared to spending a few hours a week in a Canadian office
of an NGO. If you have the skills and inclination to be a program implementer, it is a far
different commitment than being an able bodied assistant. If your time is limited, your plan of
action will be different but can be just as fulfilling as an unlimited timeframe.

Once you have decided what you can and are willing to do in a general sense, then it’s time to
put a specific plan together.

(This step may take several weeks to several years but then again, it may mean a major change
in your life. Certainly it will be rewarding! )

2. Set an initial high level plan

This plan will depend on your level of commitment but as a minimum, it should include what
you will do for your own training, selecting a location and a general scope of the program. The
scope is the things that are going to be included and the things that will not be done in a
program or specific project. The better the scope of the project is defined, the easier it will be
to articulate the details to others and to set specific goals for yourself.

If you are starting from scratch on your own, this step may require modification many times.
As you learn more details and discover more facts, it is inevitable that your plans will change.
While you should be flexible, try to keep an end goal in mind and always plan towards that
goal. If you are always changing your plans and your goals, you will make little progress.
Building the high level plan and putting on paper will help you to keep that end goal in mind.

If you are joining an existing organization with their own goals and strategies that are already
in place, you should get to know them very well. You may have less flexibility but they have
already gone through a lot of work that you won’t have to do. Especially if your time is
limited, it may be better to fit in with an existing organization, program or project. With your
knowledge of the BioSand filter, you may be able to supplement their existing plans or initiate
a new filter project within their projects.

(This step may take several weeks to months to line up an organization – either your own or an
existing one; putting a plan on paper should only take a few weeks. An initial field trip may be
needed to help you to formulate an initial plan or you might be inspired by a vacation trip that

1
 you took in the past. Maybe some business or family contacts have provided you with enough
info to map out a plan.)

3. Assemble a team

Contact and assemble an initial team including a local NGO or someone with connections in
the location of choice. These people can help you decide on the specifics of the program, set
objectives, define the area for initial work and future expansion, and generally be program
supporters. It is critical to the long term success and sustainability of the program that the local
people are heavily involved. Frequently, there are many local NGO’s that are established and
doing very good work in a country. Once you have connected with an appropriate one, a lot of
your work is done. There is no point starting from scratch on your own, if someone has
already done a lot of the work that you would have done.

Very seldom can a single person plan and execute a water program on their own. If a good,
multi talented team can be assembled, the better the end result will be. Everyone should have a
well defined role. A good leader is also essential to the success. Frequently, good leaders will
naturally take on the role while it other cases, it may be more appropriate to designate a leader
whom everyone will respect and follow. Especially in volunteer organizations, it can be very
difficult to manage people and have effective leadership.

(this step may take several weeks to months to make relationships and build confidence or it
may only take a few weeks if you have enthusiastic friends!)

4. Gather detailed background information and use this to write a detailed plan

Things to include in a detailed plan would be the need, target population, feasibility, support,
infrastructure, government input, timeline, start-up, budget, donors, and an exit plan. This
written plan can be used to ensure everyone is on-board or it can be used as part of a proposal
to donors who can help fund the project.

The back ground information is a key to what the ultimate program will look like. For
example, if the target population if fairly small, then only a few filter technicians may be
needed, however, if the target population is large, many technicians and a large production
facility may be warranted.

Establish a plan for cost recovery. Sooner or later, there will no longer be donors so build this
into the plan. Depending on the willingness and ability to pay, the program could be self
supporting in a very short period of time or it may be necessary to subsidize the filters for some
amount for several years.

Remember to “plan the work and then, work the plan”. Sooner or later, decisions will be
made on every issue but they can be well thought out, good decisions or they will be poor ones
made in the “heat of the battle”.

2
 (this step can go quickly if you are focused and get responses from your sources. Otherwise, it
may take several weeks. Be prepared to revise your plans several times)

5. Select and establish a home base

This would include the sourcing of supplies (sand, cement, PVC pipe ) and possible sub
suppliers (lids, diffusers). Arrange to have a few steel molds fabricated and transported to
your location. Most welders can build the steel mold although it may be necessary to find
them in larger centers. If the logistics require a considerable amount of travel over difficult
conditions, the cost could be considerably higher.
A location for an initial fabrication facility is required for the first filters and for each of the
filter technicians. This doesn’t have to be a large or fancy building, but some secure place is
required. The better it is, the cheaper the filters will ultimately be.

As the program grows, there will be a needed for a good training area. This should include a
space for classroom activities and a good shop area. The initial filter fabrication area would be
good for the shop instructional area. Some of the trainees may be coming from a considerable
distance so keep in mind where these people will live during training sessions. It may be
desirable to have a dormitory available for their use.

Don’t forget your own living accommodations including space for frequent visitors. Working
on an intense program for several weeks at a time can be very stressful and difficult especially
in difficult conditions. If you have a good living accommodations and good food, it will make
it much easier for you. Consider hiring local people to assist you with this so that you can put
more effort into their filter program.

Establishing your home base should also include a component to learn the local language.
Having a good interpreter may be a necessity.

(A field trip of 2-6 weeks is probably needed for this step. Or this may be something you first
do when you arrive in a country. Ensure you leave enough time to “acclimatize” to the local
conditions including learning the language. Don’t be too anxious to jump into a filter program
until you have established some base for your activities.)

6. Do an initial demonstration project

Get some filters up and running to show that they do indeed work and will add value to
people’s lives. The first one should be in your house to demonstrate the confidence that you
have in the technology. If you are not willing to use it, do you think anyone else will? Build
10 – 30 filters and place them in schools, community buildings, or health centers. Ensure that
they are well maintained and can be used to demonstrate the features of the filter. You may
wish to do water testing to show the water quality. Use the water tests to convince people in
authority that the filter is a good “product”. Use this as an entry point for a full water,

3
 sanitation, and hygiene program. Make sure this part of the project runs well because this will
determine the success of the rest of the program.

(With this step, the exciting part of the project is finally starting to take place. The first few
filters might take you several days to build successfully. Learn from your experience and you
will move faster on the next round of filters. This may only take you a few days to a few
weeks.)

7. Train the first filter technicians

Work with the local NGO to select the first few (no more than 5) Filter Technicians. They
should be chosen in accordance with appropriate criteria that will ensure that they will be
successful. It may be appropriate to start with only one or two individuals and work with them
for several weeks or even months. Ensure that they are well trained in filter fabrication,
operation, marketing and running a business. Support them for several months while letting
them establish their own facilities and business.

(Patience is required at this step. Keep track of how the first filters are operating. Build
confidence with the users and the population in general. Teaching people is now more
important than building filters. If the first technicians are not successful, the whole program
will need reconsideration. This may take 2-6 months.)

8. Let the Filter Technicians go!

They must fly on their own at some point. Continue to give them support in varying degrees
but ensure that they can manage on their own. They will be their own Community Stewards,
providing “after sales” service until they are so busy that they can no longer do this.

(This is when it all seems worthwhile. This is a gradual process and will happen during the
course of the program.)

9. Recruit and train a small group of Community Stewards

The local NGO and the Filter Technicians can assist with recruiting and training of the
Community stewards. As with the FT’s, provide them with good support, morally and with
training materials, regular reviews and continuous improvement.
Set up a training program and monitor their progress. Provide constructive feedback and
ensure that they are all doing well.

(The initial training session will only be 1 or 2 days but make sure that the CS’s do their jobs
well. Monitor them for several months)

10. Set up a monitoring and evaluation program

4
 It is essential for all aspects of the program to set up appropriate monitoring and evaluation
activities. This would include the initial demonstrations, training sessions, FT’s, CS’s,
education material, filter use, community and individual acceptance. In many cases, the
evaluation does not need to be complicated or lengthy but as a minimum, a discussion should
take place with the program staff to evaluate how the program is going.

Implement revisions that are identified in the evaluations that are needed to improve the
program. Be sure to include an exit plan for individuals or components of the program that are
not working well. Celebrate successes. Involve the community with a program impact
evaluation. Let the people tell you what is working well and what needs fixing.

(This step takes place throughout the whole program. It should be something that becomes
very natural to do if it is done well from the beginning. While it take effort to do, the time
requirements should not be great.)

11. Expand as required

Shift the focus to teaching as many people as feasible. Cover a larger geographic areas while
ensure that the FT’s stay in business. Involve other organizations who may have seen your
success and want to grow with you.

The above steps provide one model or process which can be used to set up a successful program.
There are probably many other ways or variations to these steps that will also work well. Don’t be
afraid to try new ideas, take a different direction or retrace your steps. Keep moving forward and
good luck!