Household, or point-of-use (POU), water treatments are effective alternatives to provide safe drinking water in locations isolated from a water treatment and distribution network. The household slow sand filter (HSSF) is amongst the most effective and promising POU alternatives available today. Since the development of the patented biosand filter in the early 1990s, the HSSF has undergone a number of modifications and adaptations to improve its performance, making it easier to operate and increase users’ acceptability. Consequently, several HSSF models are currently available, including those with alternative designs and constant operation, in addition to the patented ones. In this scenario, the present paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview from the earliest to the most recent publications on the HSSF design, operational parameters, removal mechanisms, efficiency, and field experiences. Based on a critical discussion, this paper will contribute to expanding the knowledge of HSSF in the peer-reviewed literature.

家庭或使用点 (POU) 水处理是在与水处理和分配网络隔离的位置提供安全饮用水的有效替代方法。家用慢砂过滤器 (HSSF) 是当今可用的最有效和最有前途的 POU 替代品之一。自 1990 年代初开发专利生物砂过滤器以来，HSSF 经历了多次修改和调整以提高其性能，使其更易于操作并提高用户的接受度。因此，目前有多种 HSSF 型号可供使用，包括具有替代设计和持续运行的型号，以及获得专利的型号。在这种情况下，本文旨在提供有关 HSSF 设计、操作参数、去除机制、效率和现场经验。基于批判性讨论，本文将有助于扩展同行评审文献中 HSSF 的知识。