Flowerpot-Like Ceramic Filters Purify Water For Drinking, Cooking

The WHO and UNICEF monitor access to potable water through the Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation. The Programme's 2012 progress report includes the good news that in the 10 year period from 1990-2000, over 2BN people gained access to safe drinking water. The bad news is that still another 780M people need access to improved, pathogen-free drinking water. Because of a dearth of infrastructure in these ions, simple solutions are especially attractive. And, it appears that the humble clay pot might be the answer to providing potable water and some local industry, as well. This article describes a water purification system based on porous ceramic clay discs, impregnated with nanoparticles of either silver or copper.