In Puerto Rico there are communities and sectors that obtain drinkable water from Surface Community Systems. These are operated and managed by their own community members. Most of the Surface Community Systems do not meet the maximum levels established for turbidity and coliform bacteria by a series of reasons like improvements to the system, education, lack of operator certifications, bad preventive maintenance practices and others.

In this research, four Surface Community Systems were studied. They are located in the east area of Puerto Rico: Sector el Veinte, Comunidad Guayabota and Jácanas 2 Surface Community Systems, located in Yabucoa and Lijas Surface Community System is located in Las Piedras. The purpose of this investigation is to find a cost effective and useful filtration system for Surface Community Systems to meet EPA and Government turbidity and coliform standards.