Water Filter.

Seventy percent of the Earth is covered with water. However, only about
three percent that can be used for drinking water.
This a device that can clean a dirty water sample using materials around
our homes.
Important note: This activity is not designed to make drinkable water. No
matter how “clean” your filtered water looks, you should never drink it
because it still may contain pollutants you can’t see.

Why did I choose this experiment?

I choose this experiment because, it’s not only a simple, and an inexpensive
way of filtering water, but it helps us to reuse dirty water. We will
contribute to the future of our world, by helping the fresh water supply that
we have, which in a future will probably be really scarce. So, in fact I
choose this experiment because it will help one of the most important
resources in our world, which is being damaged by pollution. So, although
only a few people do it, it will of course give a hand to our environment.
 Materials Well need:

How to make a Water Filter?

1. Create a dirty water sample:

Start by preparing the water you’re going to filter. This can be done in
many ways that change how difficult it is to filter the water. For example,
mix some soil or dirt with tap water for an easier challenge. Try also adding
food coloring or vinegar for a bigger challenge.

This dirty water sample will simulate wastewater. On the space station, this
wastewater is made up of everything from the fuel that powers the station
to astronauts’ sweat.

2. Build your filter cartridge

To build your own filtration system, you’ll need a filter cartridge. Start by
carefully cutting your water bottle in half, across the width of the bottle.
Remove the cap from the bottle. Put gauze or cheesecloth over the opening
and secure it with a rubber band. Turn the top half of the bottle upside
down (so the part with the cheesecloth or gauze is facing down) and place
it into the bottom half of the bottle.
If you want to fit more materials in your filter, you can use two bottles.
You can also use larger bottles or try other containers. Note: Clear
containers will help you see the filtration as it takes place.

2. Design your filter

The filtration system on the space station has several stages that first filter
out larger debris, then smaller impurities and even bacteria. You may want
to use similar layers in your filter.
Mix or layer the filter materials you’ve collected in the top of your filter
cartridge. Write down what filtration materials you use and how much.

4. Test and evaluate the results

Pour your simulated wastewater into your filter and observe the water that
comes out at the bottom of the filter. How effective was your filter at
cleaning the water? Write down what you notice. How long did it take to
filter the water? What worked well? What could be improved?

3. Revise and try, try again!

Revise your filter based on what you saw during the last step. Then, test it
again. Consider using the same amount of wastewater for each test so you
can better evaluate how well your filter is working not just in terms of the
color of your filtered water, but how much you’re able to clean, or reclaim.
 Why Does This Happen?
You have created a simple water filter! The sand and gravel particles act as
a sieve, trapping larger material from filtering down with the water as it
travels downwards. Filtering such as this occurs in the natural environment
as well. There are many communities who rely on underground aquifers
which have accumulated over millions of years as water has filtered
through the soil to the bedrock.