ALTERNATIVE HOME-BASED BIO-CHARCOAL WATER

PURIFICATION SYSTEM

_________________________________________

A Capstone Project Presented to

Mr. Rex Bryan B. Ranalan

Capstone Research Instructor

________________________________

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in the Subject Capstone

Research in Pantukan National High School
Senior High School Program

By

Monday May A. Miguel

STEM – Mantiris

May 2020
 ABSTRACT

Due to the increased researches, plenty of reports show that

water is highly essential, especially on a daily basis. A tendency
of a community to have safe and affordable water is said to be
closely correlated to good health and wellbeing. Thus, this project
was conducted to produce an alternative home-based water
purifier. Thus, it aims to provide clean and drinkable water to
ensure safety and wellbeing of the people. Moreover, the
descriptive design method was used where it attempts to find
general attributes of the presently existing and determine the
frequency with which it occurs. Data were gathered through the
use of online researches, PDFs, and past studies related to this
study. The results revealed that bio-charcoal is an effective water
purifier. Thus, it is suitable for human consumption.

Keywords: alternative home-based water purifier, bio-charcoal,

Philippines
Background of the Project

Water, including its resources, is one of the most basic

necessity for maintaining an adequate supply of sustenance for every

living organism. Thus, as population and economies rapidly grow, the

demand and need for fresh and clean water increases (Kilic, 2020).

However, due to the high indulgence and need of humans, it resulted

to water shortages and dirty waters which affects the teeming

populations worldwide (Farhan, Khoso, & Wagan, 2013).

In India, their water demand is highly increasing due to the

rapid urbanization and industrialization of the area. With that, 78% of

their water is used on agriculture, however, because of the scarcity,

half of their endeavor is dependent on rainwater which is not

sufficient enough to maintain a whole country population. Thus, the

people needed a clean water to keep them hydrated, and not just

water coming from the rain (Gulati & Banerjee, 2018).

In the Philippines, despite of its abundance in water resources,

it still confronts problems such as water quality and scarcity.

According to the "2005 Little Green Data Book" of the World Bank,

one out of five Filipinos does not get water from formal sources; thus,

only 77% of the rural population and 90% of those in urban areas

have access to a better-quality water source. With that, water supplies

in the country is considered unsafe for drinking without further

treatment (Lee, Jeong, & Rubio, 2010).

Locally, in Pintatagan, Davao Oriental, water shortage and dirty

water was caused by extreme weather temperature and continuous

mining activities. With that, it affected the livelihood and daily mining

activities. With that, it affected the livelihood and daily activities of the

people in the community (Miguel, 2021).

Given this result and other related literature, the researcher

develops the sense of urgency to the situation that this problematic

concern about water quality and scarcity greatly affects not just the

future and present of the of our country, but also the future and

present of every place around the world. More so, the results and

product of this project could become an avenue for social institutions

to take part in the initiative of sustaining a healthy source of water for

every individual. Thus, everyone should have access to safe and

affordable drinking water to ensure wellbeing among people

(Sustainable Development Goals, 2015).

Objectives of the Project

The main objective of this project is to produce an alternative

home-based water purifier by utilizing bio-charcoal (activated carbon)

in Pintatagan, Davao Oriental.

Review of Related Literature

The purpose of this literature review is to examine the extent of

bio-charcoal in producing an alternative home-based water purifier.

Finally, this literature review intends to provide an investigation of

prior and current research concerning the matter.

Water Crisis

With the ongoing activities of humans on the environment, it

often results to pollution and degradation of bodies of water. Thus,

affecting the water quality and availability for desired usage. More so,

urban and rural storm water runoff, inadequate waste water

treatment, atmospheric deposition and acid rain, pollutant in

sediments and fish, and nuisance aquatic weed growth and invasive

species are some of the causes of water quality impairment (Obilonu

et al., 2013).

In a survey conducted in India, river pollution has reached its

critical point which draws the citizens to worry, especially the poor

communities in the particular area. With that, various scientists take

initiatives to study the polluted rivers of the country (Dwivedi, 2017).

On the other hand, food security and overall wellbeing of

human kind was threatened due to the overexploitation of freshwater

resources and rapidly increasing population. This led to water

shortage at some certain areas in every part of the world. Thus, an

analysis was conducted towards water scarcity to improve

understanding of blue water consumption (Kummu et al., 2016).

Bio-charcoal as an Alternative Water Purifier

Bio-charcoals has an excellent capacity to remove several

contaminants from water pollutions. It has a potential factor and exist

at a low cost as an alternative technology for drinking water

treatment. Since it is affordable and renewable absorbent made using

readily available biomaterials and skills, the poor communities can

afford it as well (Chaukura, Gwenzi, & Mukome, 2017).

In a study conducted by Reddy, Xie, and Dastgheibi (2014), they

evaluated the potential of biochar to remove contaminants in water

resources such as rivers and lakes. With that, results in their test

shows an average of 86% was filtered. However, the study

recommended to use different types of biochar to determine the most

effective that can simultaneously remove multiple contaminants from

urban storm water.

Biochar is recognized as an effective candidate to resolve the

limitations in treating common pollutants typically occurring in

drinking water such as microbial contaminants, inorganic

contaminants, heavy metals, etc. Thus, it is desirable to develop an

alternative option for safe drinking water (Palansooriya et al., 2019).

In a study, soils in the SE USA Coastal Plain region frequently

have a compacted subsoil layer, which caused a barrier for water

infiltration. With that, four different biochars were evaluated to

increase water infiltration in the area, as well as biochar’s effect on

water quality was also evaluated. Thus, applied biochars resulted in

significant water infiltration increases (Novak et al., 2016).

Biochar can remove organic contaminants in water, such as

some pesticides. Moreover, it can be used for treating potable and

reuse water in adsorption and filtration applications. Thus, help

establish the potential of biochars to serve as surrogates for activated

carbons (Inyang & Dickenson, 2015).

Importance of Water and Water Resources

Water is the most essential and abundance compound in the

earth’s surface. Also, it plays an important role in every living

organism. As for humans, it transports nutrients and carry away

wastes from the body cells. Thus, without it or insufficient amount if it

would threaten the whole population in every part of the world

(Hossain, 2015).

Water had a high impact on every living organism worldwide.

Poor quality of water can bring up various types of diseases and

problems with health. Thus, with lacking quantity of water, all living

organisms would cease to operate and function well (Gereta, 2014).

To boot, the value of water is in both quantity and quality. The

researcher is seeking through the fact that there are serious problems

and issues with regards to accessible and clean water. Thus, with the

presence bio-charcoal (activated carbon), it can somehow contribute

an advantage to act as an alternative home-based water purifier to

cease the current phenomenon. Henceforth, these related studies are

the supporting related facts that answers to the objectives of this

study which discusses on the role of bio-charcoal as an alternative

home-based water purifier.

Conceptual Framework

The conceptual framework shows the procedure and flow of the

system from the input to the output and how it will be processed. The

alternative home-based water purifier will enable to convert rain

water, river and streams into a potable water and suitable for human

consumption in daily basis.

Input Procedure Output

- 4 Barrels - Collection of the

materials
- Bio-charcoal
- Gravel and Sand - Formation and
assembling of the
- Cheesecloth/Gauze system - Safe and Clean
- Sets of male and Water Purification
- Putting of the
female threaded System
materials in each
coupler and rubber
designated barrels
gasket
-Valves and floated - Boiling of the
valve water

Figure 1. Shows the conceptual Framework of the study/project

Project Implementation

A. Expected project results

This project is expected to provide an output that will give a

solution to the problem being addresed by the proponent specifically

at barangay Pintatagan. This study will be a great contribution to

mitigate water shortage and dirty water being the primary problem.

The residents of Pintatagan will surely benefit from this project

especially in their daily living and consumption. However, this project

requires patient and resourcefulness of the beneficiaries in terms of

collecting water resources, the process it will take and the monthly

cleaning maintenance.

B.Procedures

This section explains the procedure in making the bio-charcoal water

purification system.

Collection of the
materials

Formation of platform and

assembling of system

Putting of the materials in

each designated barrels

Boiling of the water

(unnecessary)

The end product

Collection of materials

All of the materials need to be collected in order for the system

to work. In assembling the system, the materials includes some

hardware equipments such as: Four large barrels, 1/2 “ male and

female threaded coupler (8 pcs.), rubber gasket (8 pcs.), 1.1” male

and female threaded coupler (1 set), 1” valve (1 pc.), 1/2” valves (2

pcs.), and floated valve (1 set). The materials that will act as the water

purifier are the Cheesecloth or 4 meter fine screen, Gravels, sand,

and the bio-charcoal.

Formation of platform and assembling of the system

In order to have a functional and efficient flow of the water from

the first phase of filtration up to the end product, it is necessary to

assemble the sytem and platform in a right way as possible. In this

process, the materials will be install excluding the gravels, sand and

bio-charcoal. Barrels, (other materials) will be assemble in accordance

to its proper function in the system.

Putting of all alternative materias for filtration

Gravels, sand, and especially the bio-charcoal will be place in

each designated barrels. The gravel as a pre- filter will be place on the

first barrel. This is where the the sediments, organic matter, and some

microorganims will be remove. Next, the sand with a small amount of

gravel underneath will be at the second barrel. The sand will act as a

biofilter removes fine particles, biodegradable dissolved organic

matter, and microbial pathogens. Then, the bio-charcoal that will

serve as an adsorber will be place at the third barrels with enough

amount of gravel under it. This bio-charcoal will remove organic

chemical contaminants that is made especially for water treatment.

Lastly, the fourth barrel will serve as the storage for the filtered and

treated water.

Boiling of the water

Normally, people will boil the water first before consuming it.

This will help in removing some pathogens in water for safety

consumption and well-being. However, in this water purification

system using bio-charcoal it will be unnecessary to boil the water. It

will depend on the beneficiaries.

C. Project/ Research Materials and Costing

This project will use materials that can be buy at the locality.

Materials includes:

MATERIALS COST
Four large barrels 8, 880 pesos
1/2 “ male and female threaded

coupler (8 pcs.) 40 pesos

rubber gasket (8 pcs.) 120 pesos
1” male and female threaded

coupler (1 set) 5 pesos

1” valve (1 pc.) 23 pesos
1/2” valves (2 pcs.) 46 pesos
floated valve (1 set) 881 pesos
Cheesecloth or 4 meter fine 172 pesos

screen
Gravels 0 pesos
Sand 0 pesos
2 big bags of Bio-charcoal 0 pesos

VII. Project Monitoring and Evaluation

 The beneficiaries of this project which is the residents of

Barangay Pintatagan will benefit in this project. If the project will be

able to achieve, it will undergo further monitoring and evaluation to

ensure that the project is working. Firstly, it is important to ask

permission in each household. Secondly, the proponent of the project

will ask series of question to the residents of the Barangay Pintatagan

about how the system is working. And lastly, the researcher will

identify if the proposed project is ready for human consumption and

to mitigate the problem in water. However, if found out that there is a

problem with the system the researcher will note and study about the

matter for improvement.

ANNEX A

This shows a temporary diagram of the expected project. The

proponent got this diagram from Aqueous Solution as it has a

similarity in terms of it’s illustration and procedure.

 ANNEX B

Curriculum Vitae

MONDAY MAE A. MIGUEL

Purok 2, Pintatagan,

Banaybanay, Davao Oriental

Cell Number: 09514492552

E-mail address: missmonday26@gmail.com

PERSONAL INFORMATION:

NICKNAME: May-may

BIRTHDAY: May 26, 2003

AGE: 17

NATIONALITY: Filipino

RELIGION: Roman Catholic

CIVIL STATUS: Single

FATHER’S NAME: Alexis E. Miguel

MOTHER’S NAME: Meleza A. Miguel

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:

ELEMENTARY: Pintatagan Elementary School

Pintatagan, Banaybanay, Davao Oriental

2014- 2015

SECONDARY: Pantukan National High School

Bonifacio St. Kingking, Pantukan, National

High School

2020-2021
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