“Pebbles, Charcoal, Sand, and Paper filter as an Alternative Water Filter”

A Science Investigatory Project

Presented to

T. Mary Joy Tutor

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Course of Science and Technology

Presented by:

Lao, Richelle Mae

Doromal, Ervin Jay

Recto, Marc Dominic

Agduma, Benz Florante

Abstract

The goal of this study is to improve the previous water filter and find for the perfect ratio

of water filter that strains the water properly and filters it fast. One of the problems is that the

researchers might have to sacrifice one outcome to get the effect that the researchers want.

Second, the researchers might not find the perfect ratio that will filter the water effectively. The

method that the researchers will be using to get the perfect ratio is trial and error, until the result

of the pH level of the filtered water will be safe for drinking. Therefore, the researchers will

achieve the goals that they want to improve in the water filter.

Acknowledgement

The researchers would like to thank the following people who have contributed and help them in

their project:

Teacher Mary Joy Tutor for supporting and helping them in making this study possible.

To the Family, who supported, help and motivate the researchers to pursue and finish the

study.

To Friends, who have been there supporting each other from the beginning until the end

of the study.

Most of all our heavenly Father from above, for letting the researchers not feel alone

during this study. The accomplishment of this study is not possible without him.
Table of Contents:

Title-1

Abstract-2

Acknowledgement-2

Table of Contents- 3-4

Chapter 1 Introduction

Background of the Study-5

Statement of the Problem-5

Formulation of the Hypothesis-6

Significance of the Study-6

Scope and Limitations of the Study-6

Definition of Terms-7

Chapter 2

Related Studies and Literature- 8-9

Chapter 3 Methodology

Subject of the Study-9

Procedure-9-10

Statistical Treatment-

Chapter 4

Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data-

Result-

Chapter 5
Summary-

Conclusion--

Recommendation-

Appendix-

Bibliography-

Reference-
 Chapter 1

Introduction

1. Background of the Study

The researchers chose this study to improve our previous study about charcoal, sand,

pebbles as alternative water filter. They will improve their previous water filter by adding paper

filter in the water filter. The materials of this study can be found at the beach or riverside and

sari-sari store. The main goal of their previous study was to help a community that has no access

to clean water and water filters. The goal of the improvement of the water filter is to make the

filter faster, more effective, and safe for drinking purposes.

Water filtration can clean water by removing chlorine, chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals and

bacterial contaminants. Water filters provide clean water for humans if we don’t have any access

to clean water.

2. Statement of the Problem

The purpose of this study is to improve the previous water filter which can help out

communities who doesn’t have access to clean or filter out the bacteria in a specific water

source. Thus, this study aims to answer these specific questions:

To what extent will be the improved water filter is effective, thus making the water particles

free?

How could the people living in the community use this properly?

Is the pH level safe for drinking?

3. Formulation of the Hypothesis

Null – Particles from the water filter will flow with the filtered water.

Affirmative – There is a chance that no particles part of the water filter stop flowing with the

filtered water.

4. Significance of the Study

The significance of the study about this project could be useful especially on the

developing communities that cannot afford water filtration systems or either people stuck in a

remote area that need a temporary source of clean water. So we can help people get a cheap way

to filter water instead of buying expensive brands just to make sure that it is a working water

filter. It’s a waste of money to buy expensive brands of drinking water, that’s the reason why the

proponents came up to this plan to end these problems that stop people from wasting money just

to buy expensive filtration system for water.

5. Scope and Limitations of the Study

November of 2018 will be the target date of the researchers to conduct the study. The

four members of the group will make a water filter in a place where all the materials are

provided, such as crush charcoal, sand, pebbles and paper filter are already prepared. The water

filter made by the researchers will be tested in Asico Village Phase 1, Matina Pangi, Davao City

wherein there is no source of clean water.

6. Definition of Terms

Terms used by the researchers in this study:

Water Filtration - a general term that refers to any system or process that is used to filter out

particles and pollutants from water.

Bacteria - a type of biological cell and constitute a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms.

Filter - a porous device for removing impurities or solid particles from a liquid or gas passed

through it.

Particles - a relatively small or the smallest discrete portion or amount of something.

 Chapter 2

Related Studies and Literature

Water sources such as lakes, rivers, and ground water supply much of the water for

domestic use. Some of the water that reaches our household faucets has also been used for other

purposes. Water from these various sources is treated to remove impurities and to make it

suitable for human consumption (Jacobsen, 2004). The lack of safe water creates a tremendous

burden of diarrheal disease and other debilitating, life-threatening illnesses for people in the

developing world. Also, according to specified criteria for performance and sustainability,

ceramic and bio sand household water filters are identified as most effective according to the

evaluation criteria applied and as having the greatest potential to become widely used and

sustainable for improving household water quality to reduce waterborne disease and death

(Sobsey, Stauber, Casanova, Brown & Elliot, 2008)

This research aims to improve the previous research about water filtration using pebbles,

sand, and charcoal. By adding paper filter in the filtration system, to be specific with the paper

filter the researchers use coffee filter. A coffee filter with a multiplicity of openings with a

maximum diameter of less-than-20-microns for making a clear beverage by hot water extraction

of finely ground coffee beans (Long, 1989). Sand is known to be arranged according to density

and sand particles size, trap and strain particles in the water. Also, pebble’s physical properties

make it among the finest available in the world for water filtration applications because it is

composed of sub-angular, hard, durable, and dense grains of predominately siliceous material

(Fluid System, n. d.). Charcoal has been proven to be very efficient for removing certain

impurities and improving the taste and clarity of drinking water. It absorb sediment and
pollutants, plus removes chlorine, heavy metal, and odours (Mifflin, 2017).Carbon filters are

very effective at removing a number of deleterious chemicals, reports the Home Water Purifiers

and Filters site. These include chlorine, benzene, radon, solvents trihalomethane compounds,

volatile organic chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides and hundreds of other man-made

chemicals that may come into contact with tap water as it proceeds through the system. In

addition, filters remove bad tastes and odors from the water (Jacobs, 2017). According to

Harvard Health Publications, paper filters are more effective at eliminating diterpenes than

permanent or cloth filters (Sheehan, Krista, n.d.). Carbon filtration is relatively cheap and

efficient way of to purify water (Jacobs, 2017).

 Chapter 3

Methodology

The Subject of the Study

This research is about on making a simple, effective, and efficient water filtration unit.

Materials needed:

- Coffee Filters - Sand - Plastic Bottles

- Pebbles - Coal

Procedure:

A water filter removes impurities by lowering contamination of water using a fine

physical barrier, a chemical process, or a biological process. In this experiment, the first thing to

do is to gather your materials, (sand, pebbles, charcoal, plastic bottles, coffee filter). The

researchers collected the sand and pebbles from the river of km. 6.5 Matina Pangi, Davao City,

the plastic bottles are found at one of the researcher’s backyard also located near Matina Pangi.

The charcoal was bought at the sari-sari store and the coffee filter was from one of the

researcher’s house. After gathering all the materials, the charcoal has been crushed but not to

fine like a powder for it not to flow with the filtered water. Next the 1.5 liters of an empty bottle

of coke has been washed then cut open 1/3 from the bottom of the bottle. Then after cutting the

bottle, the researchers dried the inside of the bottle with a rag. After, the researchers put the

paper filter in the bottle. Next they put a 3-inch-high layer of crushed charcoal. Next, the

researcher put the next layer which is 3-inch-high layer of sand. After that, the researcher put the
next layer on top of the sand which is 3-inch-high layer of pebbles. After putting all the layer do

not compress them so the water can flow properly.

How to test the product:

The researchers have three types of liquid to test the filter to its potential. First, the

reseachers use tap water to filter, for them to check if there is any charcoal had flowed through

with the filtered water. Second, the researchers use water from an old pond that the color is green

and has algae in it. To test if the filtered water is colorless and if there is particles. Lastly, the

researchers use a combination of 2/3 water and 1/3 vinegar, to test if it can remove the odor and

most importantly its Ph level. Each test the researchers waited for 30 minutes for the test liquids

to be filtered. Therefore, the improved alternative water filtration system was effective. For

assurance, the researchers boiled the water that was filtered to be drinkable water.

Researchers set standards based on the comparison of the texture of the filtered water to a

drinkable one. The qualitative data on the experiment observation and one-shot experiment these

are the criteria.

Criteria 1 2 3 4

Clearness The water is not The water is a The water is The water is

very clear bit clear somehow clear very clear

Particles There are lots of A little less Very little No particles at

particles particles amount of all

particles

pH level pH level didn’t Very minor pH Somehow at a pH level is at

change level change drinkable level drinkable level

Color The color didn’t A bit less of its Somehow Color less

change at all original color colorless

 Chapter 4

Presentation of Data, Analysis, and Interpretation of Data

Results

Chapter 5

Summary

Our study is about making an eco-friendly alternative water filter that is easy to make.

Water filter is the only hope of people in a community that has no access to clean water and

water filters can be expensive. We made this product with pebbles, sand and charcoal.
Conclusion

The researchers conclude

Recommendation

We recommend to use a thick cloth so the crushed coal will not flow together with the

water. We recommend the next researchers to continue this study and make some improvements

to have better results in the future.

Appendix

Bibliography
Coffee filter:

https://patents.google.com/patent/US5028328A/en

Carbon/charcoal:

https://www.livestrong.com/article/193977-what-do-carbon-filters-remove-from-water/