1.1.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND OF THE
STUDY
Water is essential for all life on, in, and above the Earth (Behura, 2023). Water, with its chemical
formula H2O (dihydrogen monoxide or simply hydrogen oxide), is crucial for life on Earth,
serving as the primary component of the hydrosphere and the fluids within living organisms.
Despite its lack of taste and odor, water is essential, acting as a solvent and vital for various
biological processes. In the Philippines, abundant water resources exist, including rivers, lakes,
and groundwater, with an annual rainfall average of 2400 mm. However, disparities in rainfall,
geographic factors, and growing water demand contribute to frequent shortages and water stress,
then worsened by periodic El Niño patterns.
Even though the Philippines possesses abundant water resources, it has been experiencing water
stress since 2017, as noted by the Senate Economic Planning Office. In 2022, the National Water
Resources Board (NWRB) issued water permits indicating that approximately 52% of water
resources were allocated for various purposes (excluding illegal groundwater withdrawal), with
about 59% of this allocated water being used for hydropower. In addition to the declining
availability of sustainable water resources, the ongoing growth in demand and the prevalence of
contaminated water exacerbate the water crisis in the Philippines.
Water is said to be polluted if it contains enough impurities (toxins and contaminants such as
bacteria, viruses, microbes, pathogens, parasites, etc.) to make it unfit for a particular use; be it
for drinking, fishing, watering plants, or for sanitation uses (cleaning). It’s a common problem
that every generation have been encountered. Historical records, as described in the research by
Dr. Faiyaz Ahmad Alig (2018) in the International Journal of Unani and Integrative Medicine,
indicate that in ancient times, people determined water purity by assessing its taste and odor.
Sweet and pleasant-tasting water with a good odor was deemed pure. To improve water taste and
purity, various additives such as herbs, flowers, honey, or fruits were commonly used. In the 3rd
century BC, Hippocrates introduced the "Hippocratic Sleeve," the first domestic filter consisting
of a simple cloth bag through which boiled water was filtered. This filter aimed to trap particles
and pollutants in water to prevent human ingestion. Over time, the methods for water purification
evolved, leading to the development of more sophisticated and efficient devices and instruments
for wastewater treatment.
There are several methods used in purifying water, including filtration, evaporation, and
distillation, which were the focus of this study.

The first one that would be useful for the process of purification, as it doesn't include costly
materials and complicated machinery, is the filtration method. It works between the fluid (or
liquid) components from the particles which are not soluble in water. Materials that are porous
(e.g. sand, gravel, charcoal, cotton, cloth, etc.) enough to suspend particles and impurities while
allowing clean water to pass through.
Another approach in decontaminating water is through boiling, wherein the liquid water turns to
steam or in gaseous state once it reaches its boiling point (100° C at standard atmospheric
pressure). There are two common methods that requires heat: evaporation and distillation.
Evaporation and distillation are both processes used to separate components of a solution based
on their different boiling points. In evaporation, the solution is heated, and the solvent evaporates
leaving behind the solute. Distillation is a more controlled process where the vapor is collected
and condensed back into liquid form, resulting in a purer substance. It's commonly used in
industries like chemical engineering and in laboratories for purifying liquids.
By integrating these techniques, water purification devices can effectively address water scarcity
and contamination challenges, ultimately providing clean and sustainable water for all.

1.2. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS

The proposed research aims to explore cost-effective water purification methods to aid in water
conservation efforts by integrating filtration, evaporation, and distillation techniques. We aim to
develop an efficient water purification device to reduce water expenses and promote
sustainability.
1)How can a water purification device be developed and optimized for effective wastewater
treatment?
2)How can filtration, evaporation, and distillation methods be integrated effectively to develop a
water purification device for wastewater treatment?
3)To what extent do these water purification methods enhance water quality for both drinking and
household purposes?
4)What is the correlation between the initial levels of contaminants and pollutants in wastewater
and the potability of the integrated filtration, evaporation, and distillation methods in producing
potable water?

1.3. HYPOTHESIS
By integrating filtration, evaporation, and distillation methods into a water purification
device, we hypothesize that we can effectively remove contaminants and impurities from
water, resulting in the production of potable and household water suitable for consumption.

1.4. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

The development and optimization of water purification devices integrating filtration,
evaporation, and distillation methods have been explored in numerous studies, contributing to a
comprehensive understanding of the field. Wang et al. (2019) demonstrated the significance of
integrating multiple purification methods to enhance overall efficiency and water quality,
achieving higher purification rates and improved removal of contaminants from wastewater.
Duke et al. (2019) delved into the underlying mechanisms of contaminant removal, highlighting
the importance of mass transfer, adsorption, and membrane separation processes for effective
purification. Liang et al. (2023) proposed hypotheses for optimizing energy efficiency in
purification devices, emphasizing the importance of optimizing heat and mass transfer processes
during evaporation and distillation to achieve significant energy savings. Zhang and Chen (2021)
reviewed advancements in membrane technology, identifying novel membrane materials and
fabrication techniques that enhance device performance and reliability. Liu et al. (2020)
investigated process control and optimization strategies, employing advanced algorithms and
sensor technologies to optimize operating parameters and ensure consistent water quality
outcomes. Behura (2023) underscored the importance of sustainability in device development,
advocating for the incorporation of sustainable principles to minimize resource consumption and
environmental impact. Together, these studies contribute to the development of sustainable water
purification solutions for potable and household use from wastewater, addressing global water
challenges effectively.

1.5. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

 1.6. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study aims to explore cost-effective water purification methods to aid in water conservation
efforts by integrating filtration, evaporation, and distillation techniques.This study will benefit
the community by developing an efficient water purification device to reduce water expenses and
promote sustainability.

1.7. SCOPES AND LIMITATIONS

This research focuses in the development and optimization of a water purification device
integrating filtration, evaporation, and distillation methods. Testing the effectiveness of the
device in removing contaminants and impurities from water. Evaluating the quality of the
purified water produced by the device. Assessing the device's usability and practicality for
water treatment applications.
The study may be limited by the availability of resources and materials for device
development and optimization. Environmental factors such as temperature and humidity
may affect the performance of the evaporation and distillation processes. The effectiveness
of the device may vary depending on the type and concentration of contaminants present in
the water. The study may not account for potential long-term maintenance and durability
issues of the purification device. Regulatory constraints and standards for potable water
may influence the applicability of the device in certain regions or settings.

1.8. DEFINITION OF TERMS