*Corresponding author: E-mail: vsjr08@gmail.com. www.sospublication.co.in Journal of Advanced Laboratory Research in Biology We- together to save yourself society e-ISSN 0976-7614 Biosand Filter for Removal of Chemical Contaminants from Water P. Vara Lakshmi N.R. 1 , V. Saritha * , K. Swetha Chowdhary 2 , G. Mallika 3 and B.S.S.S. Harish Kumar 4 *Department of Environmental Studies, Gitam Institute of Science, Gitam University, Visakhapatnam-530 045, Andhra Pradesh, India. Abstract: Numerous reports by the United Nations and the World Health Organization have indicated a significant worldwide problem with water pollution and inaccessibility to potable drinking water. Due to technological and economical barriers, the problem with water pollution is particularly more serious for under-developed and developing countries. The present study is aimed at designing, constructing and evaluating a cost-effective biosand filter was undertaken. Results indicated the removal of up to 80% total hardness, 86% chlorides, 96% turbidity and 90% colour. Moreover, the filter’s performance was appraised by the absence of E. coli in the filtered sample. The filter describes the proven bioremediation technology and its ability to empower at-risk populations to use naturally occurring biology and readily available materials as a sustainable way to achieve the health benefits of safe drinking water. Keywords: Biosand filter, Turbidity, Hardness, E. coli. 1. Introduction Safe drinking water is a human birthright – as much a birthright as clean air. However, much of the world’s population does not have access to safe drinking water. Of the 6 billion people on earth, more than one billion (one in six) lack accesses to safe drinking water. Moreover, about 2.5 billion (more than one in three) do not have access to adequate sanitation services. Together, these shortcomings spawn waterborne diseases that kill on average more than 6 million children each year (about 20,000 children a day) (1). The rural population of India comprises more than 700 million people residing in about 1.42 million habitations spread over 15 diverse ecological regions. It is true that providing drinking water to such a large population is an enormous challenge. The health burden of poor water quality is enormous. It is estimated that around 37.7 million Indians are affected by waterborne diseases annually, 1.5 million children are estimated to die of diarrhoea alone and 73 million working days are lost due to waterborne disease each year. The resulting economic burden is estimated at $600 million a year (2). The problems of chemical contamination are also prevalent in India with 1, 95, 813 habitations in the country are affected by poor water quality. The major chemical parameters of concern are fluoride and arsenic (3, 4). Iron is also emerging as a major problem with many habitations showing excess iron in the water samples. There is a growing need to address the twin problem of sustainability of water resource and water quality. Department of Drinking Water Supply (DDWS) has estimated a large gap in resources of about Rs. 6,800 crores to tackle problems of rural water sustainability & water quality (5). Water-related diseases put an economic burden on both the household and the nation’s economy. At household level, the economic loss includes cost of treatment and wage loss during sickness. Loss of working days affects national productivity. On the other hand, the government spends a lot of money and time on treatment of the sick and providing other supportive services. Despite the very real danger of future global water shortages, today’s water crisis is not an issue of Volume 3, Issue 2, April 2012 Research Article