Free Water For All in Antigua Guatemala

Thanks to Ecofiltro’s water stations, peppered through out Antigua Guatemala we now can offer free water for all. You can find these filtering watering stations at pharmacies, restaurants, shops, in every block of Antigua Guatemala. In my humble opinion, this is a great initiative as well as an effective marketing campaign which has brought brand recognition to Ecofiltro.

3 Responses to "Free Water For All in Antigua Guatemala"

Dave says:
September 20, 2016 at 5:56 am
There’s a big potential problem with the water stations: People’s health depends on low-paid employees correctly maintaining the filters.
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1. Rudy says:
  September 21, 2016 at 2:06 pm
  That’s a good point Dave, however, I believe the filters are maintained by Ecofiltro. It wouldn’t make sense any other way.
  Reply
  1. Dave says:
    September 21, 2016 at 3:48 pm
    Rudy – Nothing about the filters makes any sense. I looked at one yesterday.
    “The major risks to the success of all forms of ceramic filtration are hairline cracks and cross-contamination. If the unit is dropped or otherwise abused, the brittle nature of ceramic materials can allow fine, hard to see cracks, and can allow larger contaminants through the filter. Work is being done to modify clay/sawdust ratios during manufacture to improve the brittle nature and fracture toughness of these clay ceramic water filter materials.[1] Also, if the “clean” water side of the ceramic membrane is brought into contact with dirty water, hands, cleaning cloths, etc., then the filtration will be ineffective. If such contact occurs, the clean side of the filter should be thoroughly sterilized before reuse.”
    Another issue is pore size of the ceramic material:
    “Typically bacteria, protozoa, and microbial cysts are removed but the filters are not effective against viruses since they are small enough to pass through to the other “clean” side of the filter.”
    Do Guatemalan water agencies screen out viruses before the water reaches the distribution system. I suspect not.
    The bottom line is that consumers of Ecofiltro filtered water must put their faith in a private company whose major concern (and possibly only concern) is profit.
    My wife and I are in the process of driving from San Francisco to Ushuaia, Argentina. Before we left I did quite a lot of research into water filters and water filtration. I discovered, for example, that the vast majority of filter manufacturers make claims that are not supported by scientific testing. Almost none of the water filters sold in camping supply stores in the US meet the National Sanitation Foundation’s criteria for elimination of bacteria and viruses. The aesthetic standard (taste, smell and appearance) is the only standard most water filter manufacturers meet, and some of them don’t meet it.
    Caveat emptor.
    Reply

Free Water For All in Antigua Guatemala

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