For this project, our group was tasked with creating and designing a water filter that was made from classroom and natural materials, and would be environmentally friendly. As well as be beneficial for individuals to safely access clean drinking water. After completing our design it came out to cost $2.90 and we were able to filter possible contaminants( like bacteria and sediment out of water taken from the Lucas Valley Creek in order to produce a safe, and drinkable water source. We used different resources like rocks found outside on campus, activated crushed charcoal, fine sand, cotton balls, coffee filters, polypropylene filter cloth, and a plastic water bottle that we cut in half in order to store all of our layers and provide an easy way to drink the water.
Our main goal was to be able to accurately reduce the hardness level of the creek water we tested. In order to complete that goal we mainly focused on the potential bacteria present, and reducing the hardness level to a healthier range to ensure the best quality. We also knew that the hardness was due to high concentrations of calcium and magnesium as a result of the creek water likely running over many rocks on the river bed.
