SDCA Student Research Journal

Abstract

One of the biggest dilemmas that the society is facing nowadays is the lack supply of clean water. That is why the researchers decided to make an alternative water filter using corn cobs, banana peel, and charcoal made from both ingredients to help those people who do not have access to safe drinking water. For this, the researchers want to produce a filter that can be beneficial, accessible and affordable to the people. A filtering case made from bottled water were used by placing each ingredients (banana peel cut into small pieces, whole sized and crushed corn cobs, and charcoals made from banana peel and corn cobs) inside these bottles. Water samples coming from deep well and dirt water are among those being filtered and sent for laboratory tests in order to know if the water could pass and can be declared as a drinkable one. This will also show if the filtered water can be used for drinking by poor residents who cannot afford to buy expensive water filter. In the first lab test, only the copper and the hardness have been decreased, while the pH level, turbidity and E. coli increased, and the odor and lead remains the same. Now in the second lab test result, only the hardness, turbidity, and E. coli decreased; while the copper and the pH level increased and the lead and odor remains the same. It is therefore concluded that the alternative water filter that the researchers made was partially successful due to the small amount of contaminants being reduced during the filtration process.

Keywords: Water quality analysis; Filtration system; Activated charcoal; Corn (Zea mays); Banana (Musa).