Design a Water Filter

A rubbish truck has crashed into Herdsman Lake and the water has become polluted. The
wildlife centre volunteers are trying to save the animals and the wetlands but need help to
purify the polluted water. They are turning to the schools in the area to come up with
filtration systems that will filter the water and make it clean again. Are you up for the
challenge?
Design
Your task is to work in teams to create a water filter that can turn polluted water into clean
water. Your first step is to cut a 2L plastic water bottle in half, turning the lid upside down
and placing it into the bottom. The cap will need to come off. The rest of the materials will
sit inside this, and the clean water will be collected at the bottom.
Your water filter will be filtering our muddy water that is provided by your teacher.

Evaluation

Before you start your water filter, it’s important to fill out the prediction sheet to think
about what you might find out.

After you make the water filter, we will be ranking them from most effective to least
effective as a class. You will record your findings on your observation sheet.

Your observation sheet will be marked at the end of the activity as well as your predicting
sheet.
Project Specifications

The wildlife centre has limited the amount of materials for you to use.
- 2L plastic bottle
- Coarse gravel
- Fine gravel
- Coarse sand
- Fine sand
- Table cloth
- Rubber band
- Cotton
- Scissors

You will have three lessons to complete the project; one lesson to plan and predict, one
lesson to make the filter and take photos, and one lesson to compare photos and
materials.

Extra Support

Check out these videos for some great ideas on constructing your
water filter!
 Predicting: How Will My Water Filter Work?
What is the purpose of a water filter?

How will a water filter help the Herdsman Lake wildlife centre?

List the materials you What will your water filter look like? Draw
think will be useful in it here and label the materials.
making your water
filter:

What will happen when you pour your muddy water through the top of the water
filter?
 Making Observations
What materials did you use in your water filter?

How could your filter be improved?

Draw and label the most effective water filter.

Why was this water filter most successful?

How did the water filter make the Could you drink your filtered
water cleaner? water? Why?