The Purifaaya will not deteriorate. It will get slower after two years as the pores get clogged, however, it will still be able to remove bacteria, providing clean drinking water. So, while we say generally that the filter lasts two years, it is still safe and can be used for many more years beyond that.

The micropores in the clay do not kill the germs, but instead they prevent germs and bacteria from entering the clean drinking water below. Any small amount of bacteria that may have passed through these micropores are killed by the thin layer of silver nitrate that is painted on the filter. This silver nitrate also remains in the filter and is not soluble in water, so the clean water at the bottom is bacteria and chemical-free.

 Elimination of 99.9% of bacteria basically means that all bacteria is removed, but of course the guarantee isn’t perfect. This percentage is comparable or better than any other method of water purification.

The clean cloth doesn’t necessarily wipe out all the germs, but it does clear some of the pores and allows the filter to continue to filter water over time. The germs that remain in the filter will die naturally regardless, and the main important thing is that those germs and bacteria stay out of filtered clean water at the bottom of the bucket.

 Cleaning the outside of the clay filter isn’t necessary, because that part of the filter is untouched by dirt and germs. If you do clean the outside, make sure that it dries completely before continuing use. This is also why we emphasize that the filter be washed with a clean cloth.

Any dirty water (even from the ground) can be filtered through the Purifaaya.  However, any water that contains substances that are smaller than water molecules will be able to pass through to the bottom. This includes salt water, which will remain salt water at the bottom of the filter. The Purifaaya also won’t filter chemicals that may be smaller than water molecules (which is also true of boiling water).

This technology was not invented by SPOUTS, in fact, it is used widely all over the world. Notable places of widespread use include Cambodia and Laos (in Asia) and Guatemala (in Central America). There are even a few ceramic water filter factories in Kenya.

In the case that the clay portion breaks, discontinue use and notify us so that we can arrange for you to get a replacement pot. If the filter is broken or has deep cracks (i.e. cracks that go all the way through the pot), it will not be safe for use since unclean water may be able to pass through those cracks. While the filter is made of clay and is breakable, keep in mind that the filter becomes quite heavy when it is filled with water, and will therefore be difficult to break if it is kept on a stable and steady surface.

There are NO side effects of drinking this water! Because this water is pure and contains no chemicals or contaminants, it is simply water that allows you to live and stay healthy.

The Purifaaya can be purchased from several retail shops and supermarkets within Kampala, as well as some outlets and Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) upcountry. We also work with country-wide distribution networks, such as BRAC, Living Goods, Joint Medical Stores, and Jumia. For a full list of locations, see the “Buy” section of our website, or call our office directly for more information.

Yes! We work with a variety of partners all across the region. Fill out the contact form on our website or email us at info@spouts.org and we’ll get back to you.