FilterPure Inc., (called “AquaPure” locally) is a non-profit foundation whose mission is to bring desperately needed pure drinking water to the people of developing nations, and currently working with communities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, Lisa Ballantine, President of the charity is bringing this quest to Casa de Campo – so that we too may contribute to this admirable cause which will change the lives of so many.
We have all heard the saying “Give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day, give a man a fishing rod and you feed him for a lifetime“, well FilterPure Inc., is based exactly on this principle – by providing families with ceramic water filters produced in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, the charity is providing families with clean pure drinking water for a lifetime.
In order to gather support for her cause, Lisa has enlisted the help of not only the Altos de Chavón Foundation and the Altos de Chavón School of Art and Design, but also well known Dominican designer Mayra Gonzalez and world famous French artist, Emilio Robba – who together with Lisa herself (also a ceramics artist) and the students of the Altos de Chavón School will be presenting an exhibition of handcrafted water filters.
The “Waters Connecting Life” exhibition will be officially inaugurated on Saturday the 5th of January 2012 at the Altos de Chavón art gallery – an occasion which you are all cordially invited. Water filters, called “Jaguey” (the Taino word for sweet water container) will be on sale at the exhibit and for each one sold a standard design filter will be subsidized for a family affected by waterbourne illnesses in the town of Tamboril near Santiago in the Dominican Republic.
The water filters, used by both Mayra and Lisa in their homes for their own personal consumption are available in the most basic design – pictured above, but also in a variety of beautiful ceramic designs, which can be displayed in your Casa de Campo villa as not only a source of drinking water for you and your family, but also as an artwork to be admired.
Hand crafted ceramic water filters
Save the date! We look forward to seeing you at the event!
“Waters Connecting Life” art exhibition and fundraiser
When: Saturday January 5th, from 6pm
Where: 2nd floor of the Altos de Chavón art gallery
How do Filter Pure filters work? Are they really safe for your family?
The simple answer is that “dirty” water filters through the specially prepared ceramic pot and this filter process removes all the impurities leaving the water clean, pure and drinkable for you and your family.
The following is a more in-depth explanation of how the filter is created and how it works:
The technology of the water filter is simple, effective, and, sustainable. A round-bottom ceramic pot is made from a mixture of clay, a combustible material (sawdust or rice husks), and colloidal silver. The colloidal silver is a naturally occurring anti-bacterial which improves the bacteria removal rate for the filter. First, the clay and combustible are mixed with a measured amount of silver and water until a homogeneous mixture is formed.
The mixture is made into a filter and kiln fired, burning out the combustible material and leaving micro pores coated with the silver to clean the water. During the firing process, about ½ inch of charcoal is produced within the filter to improve taste and color. The filter, which is designed with a rim, is placed on a five gallon plastic storage bucket with a spigot at the bottom for dispensing.
A lid is placed on the filter to prevent contamination. When used, water is poured through the ceramic pot and filtered into the receptacle bucket. Safe drinking water is easily poured from the spigot by all members of the household.
The flow rate of the filter ranges from 20 to 30 liters per day depending upon how often the filter is refilled. Filters are cleaned by lightly scrubbing the surface when flow rate is reduced, and it is recommended that the filter is boiled every three months to insure optimum effectiveness. The effective useful life of the filter is at least 5 years.
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