Description of Project:Our goal for this project was to make a Water Filter that can filter certain contaminants to make drinkable water (Specifically Scottsdale Pond). The main contaminate we aimed to reduce was hardness but we also managed to reduce Chlorine, Sodium, and Chloride. Our target audience for this filter was campers and hikers. The product would be used to filter creek, pond, and/or river water that the users would find out in nature.
Our group started off by making a common DIY water filter. We started by putting random materials together. This worked slightly but gave us insufficient results. After some more testing and proper research, we finally found our working materials. A balance between cost efficiency and a proper filter. With this second prototype, we added chemicals to balance the high chlorine levels, calcium, magnesium, and the acidity of the water.
For our final design, we took all the information from our previous attempts and got to work. We removed the extra cup on the top to make a more stable filter and to reduce costs. We tweaked the amounts of chlorine, gravel, and charcoal powder in the filter. This filter resulted in a perfect water quality test. Our water was safe to drink.
Major Concepts:
What types of pollutants are in our water?
For our project we had to test the pollutants in our water source before and after we filtered it. We found higher than acceptable levels of hardness, iron and copper. The water was also visibly dirty and had floating debris. We were able to bring these pollutants down and make the water safe to drink by adding chlorine and filtering.
How do these pollutants affect us?
While hard water is not particularly dangerous to health, excessive hardness can lead to poor tasting water. Too much iron in water leads to discoloration, poor taste and in large amounts, organ damage. High concentrations of copper in water leads to gastrointestinal issues, nausea, vomiting and more.
Connection to other class:
In AP Environmental Science we are learning about pollutants in the environment. One, in particular, is C-8, the chemical involved in making Teflon. Dupont, the company that manufactured Teflon, poisoned (by at least some degree) all organisms on the planet. As a result of this contamination, people had birth defects, cancer and other injuries.
Reflection:
Two things I did well:1: I demonstrated critical thinking by finding a way to convert an image file from .HEIC to .PNG.2: I demonstrated collaboration by helping everyone discuss their ideas.
Two things I can improve on:1: I struggled with staying on task at times.2: I was trying to do too many things at one time.
