I am sitting on the train with Christophe as we travel to Bangkok. We have a little while before the food arrives and a little juice in the battery on my new laptop. Last time I had a look at the project updates I notice no new filter testing news. You could be forgiven for thinking that no progress has been made, luckily for us this is not the case. I’ll take a moment to add an update and remedy this situation.

There have been three completed tests conducted that have not yet been updated.

Test 1: the result was approximately a 90% reduction on the amount of bacteria present in filtered water. I say approximately because the figure was probably higher but we are right on the limits of the test laboratory. They are not able to get more accurate results than this.

We were very happy with this result and, as our ultimate goal is a 95% reduction, are in the ballpark. We decided to not get too overjoyed as the result could have been affected by a mistake in the laboratory. So not 100% trusting the laboratory we conducted a second test sample a little over a month later.

Test 2: the result was exactly the same as test 1. We were relieved that the good figure from our first test wasn’t a fluke on our part or artificially inflated by a mistake in the testing laboratory. Then we thought that maybe the same mistakes were being made again. So aware that there could be systemic errors we decided to change laboratories and get one test done at the best lab we could find in Laos.

I asked around and spoke to my friend, Jaako from Finland, who is responsible for establishing a quality water and food test laboratory in Laos as part of a UNFAO project. Jaako, not surprisingly, recommended his laboratory as the best in town. The catch, instead of spending our usual US$10-20 on a batch of testing, this one was going to cost us US$100.

Test 3: this result was a little strange at first. Only because I originally asked them to test and then give me the numbers of bacteria so that we could work out the percentage reduction figures, as we had done previously. When I went to pick up the test results all I found was a certificate with Lao writing on it. It turns out they had actually performed the test that they use to certify potable water. That is, this is the test that must be passed before water is fit for drinking. As it was in Lao, and I don’t read Lao, I asked someone to translate.

It turns out that this laboratory found no traces of faecal coliform in the filtered sample of water and had certified it fit for drinking. This was not the test we had asked for but we will take the result. As this laboratory does not meet International standards we are still not 100% satisfied and will seek testing in either Australia or Thailand before the filter is actually used for the first time.

Now that we are satisfied that we are on the right track, as far as bacteria removal is concerned, we are focusing on refining the filter’s other characteristics – a subject for a future blog. My battery is getting low and dinner has arrived, it must be time to go.

Before I do, that asterisk at the top of the post was there to remind me to make a public thank you. This blog was written on a computer very kindly donated by my brother in law. Without it I could not have written this post as easily as I have or done a dozen other things related to the project today. So thank you Micheal Draper!!