Improvised Water Filter for Lessening Fecal Coliform in River Water

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

It is common knowledge that most of river waters from urban and some rural areas are already polluted with countless wastes. Also, high levels of heavy metal contaminants and fecal coliform was detected from water samples. Hence This makes the water sample from such rivers not potable to drink. For this reason, the researchers thought of a way to purify water and make these free from fecal coliform.

METHODS

The water filtration device was constructed following an approved design with sand, charcoal, cotton balls, and Aluminum sieve as filters. Water samples from Pasig River, Zapote River, and Kawit River were collected. Amount of fecal coliform per 100ml of sample was determined. Water samples were then filtered using the filtration device. Then, these samples were again tested for the presence of fecal coliform. The amount of fecal coliform present in water samples before and after filtration were compared.

RESULTS

Laboratory test before filtration, confirms the presence of fecal coliform for water samples from Pasig River, Zapote River, and Kawit River amounting to 3300 MPN/100mL, 2200 MPN/100mL, and 1400 MPN/100mL fecal coliform respectively. On the other hand, the amount of fecal coliform for the three samples after filtration are 1300 MPN/100mL for the sample from Pasig River, 700 MPN/100mL the sample from Zapote River and 560 MPN/100mL Kawit River.

DISCUSSIONS

Results reveal that the amount of fecal coliform from the water sample from Pasig River was reduced by 61%. On the other hand, the amount of fecal coliform from the water sample from Zapote River was reduced by 68% while the fecal coliform from water sample from Kawit River was reduced by 60%. This means that the filtration device can reduce the amount of fecal coliform by an average of 60%.