Rainwater treatment: an approach for drinking water provision to indigenous people in Ecuadorian Amazon

Abstract This study is about the use of naturally occurring filtering materials for rainwater treatment drinking water proposal. Crushed gravel, ceramic spheres from natural clays, silica sand and zeolite were used as materials. The mineralogical composition was determined, being illite mordenite major components zeolite, respectively. Naturally simultaneous evaluated on two configuration pilot plant systems (biofilters) treatment. Three columns arranged in series with unstratified flooded beds. first stage packed using crushed gravel. second spheres. third a system. Finally, last ultraviolet disinfection incorporated. trial period 90 days, it removal Fe +2 Mn , total coliforms, faecal coliforms Escherichia col ( E. coli ). system provided better results than one at stage. concentration below maximum permissible limits within 45 days. efficiency optimal after decreased progressively. Then, an attractive proposal rural areas developing countries single-family systems.