Product Design of a Low-Tech Water Filter for Rural Households in Adamawa State

Access to potable water in rural Adamawa State, North East Nigeria, remains critically limited, with a significant proportion of households relying on unfiltered surface water sources that are contaminated with pathogens, sediment, and industrial runoff. This project documents the design and fabrication of a low-technology, gravity-fed water filtration unit suitable for household use without electricity or specialist maintenance. Drawing on biosand filtration principles and locally available materials, the filter unit incorporates layered fine sand, coarse gravel, activated charcoal derived from coconut shells, and a ceramic diffuser plate housed in a plastic storage drum. The design prioritises ease of assembly and component replacement using materials available at local markets in Yola and Numan. Forty households in Shelleng and Song local government areas participated in prototype testing over a six-week deployment period. Water quality assessments conducted before and after filtration measured turbidity, coliform bacteria counts, and pH. Results demonstrate a ninety-two percent reduction in turbidity and a significant decrease in coliform presence to levels approaching World Health Organisation drinking water standards. Household users reported high satisfaction with ease of use and maintenance. Cost analysis indicates a total unit cost of approximately six thousand naira, making the design economically accessible for most rural households. The project recommends adoption through the Adamawa State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency. This work affirms the role of industrial design in addressing public health challenges through accessible, low-cost technological innovation. Keywords: water filtration, low-technology design, rural households, Adamawa State, potable water.