Assessment on different filtration materials used for

the production of drinking water

Donato, Josh Bernard A.

Mendoza, Daniel Louis G.

Sañosa, Carl Angelo C.

Verana, Bernard

CMO11-A6

I. Abstract

Water is an essential nutrient and plays a key role in the human body.

Without it, we cannot survive. We have the earth as our source of water and

yet we are afraid to drink directly on our source because of how climate

change, pollution, radiation, deadly chemicals, and many more that have

destroyed our source of water. Filtration is used to purify water to be able to

safely drink it. There are many kinds of filtration for purifying water. In this
study, our main objective is to assess different kinds of filtration materials

for water, mainly the cheapest and effective so that the poor community can

create their filtration. We found two methods that are cheap and effective to

use and create. The results met the minimum requirements of being a

suitable filtration for water.

II. Introduction

Water has and always will be a basic necessity for us human beings. Water

is an essential nutrient and plays a key role in the human body. We can

survive up to several weeks without food, but only a few days without water.

Every system in the body, from cells and tissues, to vital organs, requires

water to function. Water makes up on average 60% of an adult’s body

weight, from 31 % in bones to 83% in the lungs. From the past, people were

getting their water naturally. As we evolve and advance throughout time, we

had damaged our source of water. Our natural water resources are under a

great deal of stress, as we battle with an ever-changing climate, pollution,

and the needs of a rapidly growing population. Water can contain dirt,

minerals, chemicals, and other impurities that make it smell and taste bad.

Some of these contaminants can endanger your health, especially when they

include microscopic organisms and bacteria that can cause serious illness.
the government and scientists created filtration for water to be purified and

be healthy to drink it. Over time, filtration for water had developed and now

there are different kinds of ways to filtrate water with different kinds of

materials. A water filter is an entity that is used to remove impurities in the

water by decreasing its contamination. This may be using a chemical

process, physical barriers, or biological process in cleansing the liquid.

Water filtration is usually a multiple-stage process and chances are your

standard under-sink water filter is also a multi-stage unit, that is, it uses more

than one type of filter media. or different versions of the same type of filter

media to remove contaminants from your tap water. Even single-stage filters

may contain a combination of two or more types of filtration media. As a

general rule, no filter media can solve all types of problems that you may

have with your tap water. The main objective of this study is to assess

different kinds of filtration materials for water. Mainly, the cheapest and

effective so that the poor community can create their filtration for water

without spending too much.

III. Materials and Methods

Firstly, we did some research on the cheapest materials that can be used to

create to filtration for water. Although we are looking for the cheapest, we

bear in mind on how effective it can be. We found at least two methods
that is cheap and effective. First method: Sand Filtration. The materials

needed are empty bottle (recommended size is big), Fine/play Sand,

Gravel/Pebbles, and activated carbon. Second method:Imporvises charcoal

filter. The materials needed are: Piece of cloth, Sand, 2-liter plastic bottles,

and Charcoal.

IV. Results

We followed the set of legal limits of drinking water from EPA to ensure

that these methods are effective. The Sand Filtration method is maybe the

most easiest way of the two. The only thing that was mediocrely expensive

was the material active carbon. The other materials were relatively cheap

and easy to get. The Improvised charcoal filter was also relatively cheap and

easy to get. The result of these two methods met the minimum standard of

EPA regarding their legal limit of water.

V. Discussion

Based on the results, these two methods are safe, cheap, and effective. The

use of the two methods is to purify the water. The main material of the first
one is sand in which the sand and the second method are charcoal and sand.

They remove the bacteria and dirt and making it safe to drink. Although

some minor problem was the setup and the time. Without the proper

instruction, the filtration would be a disaster. And of top of that, there is a

chance that it can break easily so it might lead you to create another one

which you will then again buy the materials needed. It is also noted that

there are chances that the water is still not yet clean. But still, these two

methods are efficient to the poor community so that they can have clean

water for their daily lives.

VI. References

Karen S. Garvin (2018) Why Do We Need Water Filters?

https://www.livestrong.com/article/138479-why-do-we-need-water-filters/

WaterFilterShop (July 2016) How many stages of filtration do you actually

need? https://www.waterfiltershop.co.uk/blog/how-many-stages-of-filtration-do-you-actually-

need/?fbclid=IwAR1uBI3TsKZMobQCpZXmf-zkocVrBOAeNl4tzZrYEJ95zVIm-jsbwV5eRsg

TayEJenkins (2018) DIY Water Filter https://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Water-

FIlter/
Practically Seeking(June 2010) Water Purification: Improvised Charcoal

Filter http://www.practicalprimitive.com/skillofthemonth/charcoalfilter.html