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Information on constructing Bio-Sand filters is available at www.cawst.org along with many other web sources. While the construction details at this site are very exacting, recognize even homemade devices, as close to the design as local conditions allow, will improve surface water sources, but may not make them as safe as western world standards. Allowing people to improve their water quality themselves, even a step or two is a worthwhile improvement. Too often we think anything less than perfection isn't worth doing. The complex, too expensive, perfect solution is the enemy of a locally appropriate technology giving a step or two in the right direction. The possible "better" beats the improbable "best". But, I also agree that the solution needs to have local acceptance and not appear to be imposed upon people. Showing people how, at low cost, to improve the quality of their drinking water allows them to make the decision to adopt the technology or not. Telling them why it would help, and showing concern without mandating implementation shows them you honor their decision making and values. If they truly value it they will make a cost contribution, even if that doesn't cover full cost of the solution (hidden subsidies can work). Other commenters are correct, if the local desire to use the technology isn't internally driven, there is a high risk that the devices will not be maintained or used for long term. The real goal is to plant seeds that lead to local demand and desire for an improvement in water quality that lasts when you are gone.

Properly constructed, a borehole water source normally should not need any filtration to improve bacteriological quality.