CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION
1.1. GENERAL
Water is the most essential resource for mankind survival, since it has a
direct input on human well-being that includes health and dignified life.
Providing clean and safe water to people is great challenge .The surface water
all over the world is generally becoming highly contaminated as a result of
release of untreated waste from various industries and municipal waste into the
water bodies .Increasing population, urban encroachment, river bank erosion
and poor drainage system also contribute to water pollution. Inadequate water
supply into the rural communities results in the utilization of turbid water by the
residents of the communities for domestic use as well as irrigation these
communities are prone to health problems associated with water turbidity.it is
thus important to pay attention to provide more sustainable solution to the water
challenges face by the people living in rural and urban areas. In the ancient
times, they don‟t know the water treatment technologies, so they generally boil
the turbid water andfilter the water using some cloths. This is how it is done by
our ancestors and even in today‟s poor and some middleclass homes. Our
ancestors had a simple solution for this turbid water that is, they just add a little
bit of drumstickpowder to the water for a minute and this powder settles the dirt
particle present in the water down. This process also alters the other parameters
like pH, conductivity and hardness of water.

1.2. TURBIDITY

Turbidity is the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by large numbers

of individual particles that are generally invisible to the naked eye, similar to
smoke in air. The measurement of turbidity is a key test of water quality. Fluids
can contain suspended solid matter consisting of particles of many different

1
sizes. While some suspended material will be large enough and heavy enough to
settle rapidly to the bottom of the container if a liquid sample is left to stand (the
settable solids), very small particles will settle only very slowly or not at all if
the sample is regularly agitated or the particles are colloidal. These small solid
particles cause the liquid to appear turbid.

1.2.1. CAUSES

Turbidity in open water may be caused by growth of phytoplankton.

Human activities that disturb land, such as construction, mining and agriculture,
can lead to high sediment levels entering water bodies during rain storms due to
storm waterrunoff. Areas prone to high bank erosion rates as well as urbanized
areas also contribute large amounts of turbidity to nearby waters, through storm
water pollution from paved surfaces such as roads, bridges and parking lots.
Certain industries such as quarrying, mining and coal recovery can generate
very high levels of turbidity from colloidal rock particles.

1.2.2. IMPACT OF TURBIDITY

In drinking water, the higher the turbidity level, the higher the risk that
people may develop gastrointestinal diseases. This is especially problematic for
immune compromised people, because contaminants like viruses or bacteria can
become attached to the suspended solids. The suspended solids interfere with
water disinfection with chlorine because the particles act as shields for the virus
and bacteria. Similarly, suspended solids can protect bacteria from ultraviolet
(UV) sterilization of water. In water bodies such as lakes, rivers and reservoirs,
high turbidity levels can reduce the amount of light reaching lower depths,
which can inhibit growth of submerged aquatic plants and consequently affect
species which are dependent on them, such as fish and shellfish. High turbidity
levels can also affect the ability of fish gills to absorb dissolved oxygen. This

2
phenomenon has been regularly observed throughout the Chesapeake Bay in the
eastern United States.

1.2.3. TURBIDITY GUIDELINES FOR DRINKING

WATER
For drinking water supplies, the following guidelines should be taken
into consideration:
Drinking water should have a turbidity of 5 NTU/JTU or less.
Turbidity of more than 5 NTU/JTU would be noticed by users and may cause
rejection of the supply. Where water is chlorinated, turbidity should be less than
5 NTU/JTU and preferably less than 1 NTU/JTU for chlorination to be
effective.

1.2.4. MEASURING TURBIDITY

1.2.4.1. PRINCIPLE

Turbidity is based on the comparison of intensity of light

scattered by the sample under defined conditions with intensity of light
scattered by the standard reference suspension under the same condition.
Turbidity of the sample is thus measured from the amount of light scattered by
the sample taking a reference with standard turbidity suspension. The higher the
intensity of scattered light the higher is the turbidity. Formazin polymer is used
as the primary standard reference suspension. Turbidity is usually measured in
Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) or Jackson Turbidity Units (JTU).

3
1.2.5. CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT

 Cloth Filtration
 Sand Filtration
 Settling & Decanting
 Alum Flocculation

1.2.6. OBJECTIVE
 To remove the turbidity from turbid water by natural coagulants.
 To find out the efficiency of turbidity removal by using NEEM
BARK and TULSI ROOTS and comparing the results.

4
 CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW

Dhruva.R and Suresh.B, (2016) “An Investigation of effect of natural

coagulant (tulsi) for reduction of pH, turbidity and cod from sewage water” in
International research journal of Engineering and technology,vol 3,Issue 7, pg
759-762.
In this journal they used holly basil as natural coagulant. They analysed
the parameters like pH, Turbidity, Chemical oxygen demand. For 150mg/100ml
dosage the efficiency of turbidity reduction by Holy basil and are 69.82%.For
150mg/100ml dosage the efficiency of Chemical oxygen demand reduction by
Holy basil powder are 43.11%. Overall, Holy basil leaves as an eco-friendly
biomaterial was revealed to be a very efficient coagulant and a promising option
for the removal of pH, turbidity and COD from sewage waters.

Hayelom Dargo Beyene, Tessema Derbe Hailegebrial, and Work Batu

Dirersa, (2016) “Investigation of coagulation activity of cactus powder in water
treatment” in journal of Applied Chemistry,Hindawi publishing corporation ,vol
2016, Article ID 7815903 , 9pages.
They compared the cactus powder, Alum, and their combination of
physiochemical analyses of water sample such as TDS, pH, conductivity,
salinity, and turbidity using jar test. The result indicated that percentage
removal of turbidity from turbid water sample increased from 23.9% to 54%
and 28.46% to 58.2% as dose increased from 0.50 to 3.50 g for both cactus
powder and alum, respectively.

5
 Robert Natumanya and James Okot-Okumu, (2015) “Evaluating
coagulant activity of locally available Syzygium Cumini , Artocarpus
Heterophyllus and Moringa Oleifera for treatment of community drinking
water, uganda” in international journal of biological and chemical science,vol
9,Issue 6,pg 2535-2554.
They examined the available natural coagulants Syzygium
Cumini(Javaplum), Artocarpus Heterophyllus (Jackfruit) and Moringa Oleifera
(Moringa) using „Jar Test‟. Water turbidity and coliforms removal from
community drinking water by seeds extracts of natural coagulants was
examined. Turbidity removal increased with coagulants concentration in
(solvents extracts water and NaCl).Optimal turbidity removal occurred at 40
mg/l coagulant concentration with low and medium turbidity raw water for both
solvents extracts and at 60 mg/l for NaCl extract with high turbidity water.
Compared to alum [KAl (SO4)2.12(H2O)], the turbidity removal effectiveness
was: alum > Moringa Oleifera > Artocarpus Heterophyllus>Syzygium Cumini,
except for 1MNaCl extract where it was: alum > Artocarpus
Heterophyllus>Moringa Oleifera>Syzygium Cumini. Optimal turbidity removal
was: Moringa Oleifera 97.7%, Artocarpus Heterophyllus 95.8% and
Syzygium Cumini 94.1%.

A.H.Birima, H.A.Hammad, M.N.M.Desa, Z.C.Muda, (2013) “Extraction

of natural coagulant from peanut seeds for treatment of turbid water” in IOP
Conf. Series:Earth and Environmental Science 16(2013)012065, IOP Publishing
Ltd, pg 1-4.
They used peanut seeds as an environmental friendly and natural
coagulant for the treatment of high turbid water. The peanut seeds have been
used after oil extraction; and the active coagulation component was extracted by
distilled water and salt solution of different salt concentrations. The salts used
were NaCl, KNO 3, KCl, NH4Cl and NaNO3. Synthetic water with 200 NTU

6
turbidity was used. Peanut extracted with NaCl (PC-NaCl) could effectively
remove 92% of the 200 NTU turbidity using only 20 mg/l, while peanut seeds
extracted with distilled water (PC-DW) could remove only 31.5% of the same
turbidity with the same dosage. The coagulant dosage did not affected by the
concentration ofthe salt solution.

Kalyani Ladole, (2012) “Rajma powder as a natural coagulant in turbidity

removal from raw water” in international journal of current research, vol 4,
Issue 8, pg 38-39.
In this joural they used Rajma powder as Natural coagulant for turbidity
removal from raw water is investigated. Jar test was conducted on turbid water
with Rajma powder doses of 10 mg/l, 50 mg/l, 100 mg/l and 200 mg/l to the
turbidity of 10, 50, 100, and 200 NTU samples respectively the dosage of
Rajma powder in this research was Moderate than other traditional chemicals
application in turbidity removal with dosage of up to 10 mg/L in a water
treatment plant, the efficiency in turbidity removal was also lower.

F.V.Adams , A.F. Mulaba-Bafubiandi , (2014) “Application of rice hull

ash for turbidity removal from water”,in physics and chemistry of earth, vol 4,
pg 73-76.
They used Rice hull ash as coagulant. The ashes obtained from the two
rice hulls samples were washed with distilled water and characterised using
scanning electron microscope with electron dispersive spectroscopy
(SEM/EDS) and BET analysis. The laboratory filtration experiments were
carried out in order to study the performance of the rice hull ash in removing
turbidity from water. This was done using water with an initial turbidity, pH and
total dissolved solids (TDS) of 88 NTU, 6.63 and 127 ppm respectively.good
percentage of turbidity removal up to 96% with increasing TDS (816 ppm) was
reached.

7
 CHAPTER 3
METHODOLOGY

LITERATURE STUDY

COLLECTION OF TURBID WATER

FROM RIVER

TESTING OF INITIAL TURBIDITY OF

RIVER WATER BY
TURBIDITYMETER

ADDING NATURAL COAGULANTS

NEEM BARK AND TULSI ROOTS

TESTING OF FINAL TURBIDITY OF

RIVER WATER

COMPARING THE RESULTS

CONCLUSION

Fig.1.Methodology

8
3.1. COAGULANT USED FOR TREATING TURBID WATER
 Alum
 Neem bark
 Tulsi root

3.2. TREATMENT METHOD

3.2.1. SAMPLE AND MATERIAL COLLECTION

Water sample is collected from the river noyyal at ondipudur ,
Coimbatore. The sample water with initial turbidity of 19.5 NTU is used.
Coagulants used in this study are neem bark and tulsi root, is collected locally.
Neem bark and tulsi roots are washed with distilled water, dried under sun for
24hrs , powdered and then sieved in 230 mm sieve.

Fig.2 collecting turbid river water

9
Fig.3. collected tulsi root

Fig.4.Powdered tusli root

10
Fig.5. collected neem bark

Fig.6.Powdered neem bark

11
 3.2.2. FINDING THE SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF MATERIALS

Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of a substance to the

density of a reference substance; equivalently, it is the ratio of the mass of a
substance to the mass of a reference substance for the same given volume.

Specific gravity = ( ) ( )

Weight of empty density bottle

Weight of ⁄ the of the sample + weight of density bottle

Weight of the sample + density bottle + water

Weight of empty density bottle +water

Specific gravity of neem bark =0.8

Specific gravity of tulsi root=1

Fig.7.specific gravity test for neem bark

12
 Fig.8.specific gravity test for tulsi root

3.2.3. PREPARATION OF COAGULANT SOLUTION

1% of suspended solution is prepared.

COAGULANT REQUIRED =

For 40ml coagulant solution of tulsi root

 0.40gm of coagulant is added to 40ml distilled water

 Mixed for about 30min in conical flask shaker
 Filtered in watt man filter paper

13
 Fig.9.weighing tulsi root

Fig.10.conical flask shaker

14
 Fig.11.Filteration of coagulant solution

3.2.4. SYNTHETIC TURBID WATER PREPARATION

Synthetic turbid water for the jar tests was prepared by adding clay
materials to tap water. About 30 g of the clay materials was added to 1 liter of
distilled water. The suspension was stirred for about 1 hour to achieve a uniform
dispersion of clay particles. Then it was allowed to settle for at least 24 hours
for complete hydration of the clay materials .Then it is diluted as required.

Fig.12.Prepared synthetic water

15
 3.2.5. MEASURING INITIAL AND FINAL TURBIDITY

3.2.5.1. CALIBRATION OF TURBIDITY METER

We used DIGITAL NEPHELO-TURBIDITY METER 132.
According to our need, a standard solution of 100NTU and 10 NTU is prepared
by diluting the standard 4000 NTU solution.10 NTU is added to the sample cell,
up to the horizontal mark, wipe gently with the soft tissue place it in the
turbidity meter such that the vertical mark in the sample cell should coincide
with the mark in the turbidity meter and cover the sample cell. If the instrument
is not showing 10 NTU, using the calibration knob adjust the reading to 10
NTU. Repeat the same procedure for 100 NTU. Now the instrument is
calibrated.

3.2.5.2. TESTING FOR WATER SAMPLE:

To the sample cells add water upto the horizontal mark, wipe
gently with soft tissue and place it in the turbidity meter such that the vertical
mark in the sample cell should coincide with the mark in the turbidity meter and
cover the sample cell. Check for the reading in the turbidity meter. Wait until
you get a stable reading.

Fig.13.measuring turbidity

16
3.2.6. JAR TEST
Jar tests were carried out by using a jar tester to evaluate coagulation
activity at several dosage.Using turbidity meter initial turbidity of sample is
measured.Four 400-ml beakers, were filled with 400 ml of turbid water and
different coagulant dosage and then placed in the slots of the jar tester. The
turbid water was agitated at 80rpm for 10minutes and 20rpm for 20 minutes.
Then it is allowed to settle for about 10 minutes. After that the sample is
collected in sample cell from each jar and the final turbidity is measured .From
this value we can find out the turbidity removal efficiency.

Fig.14.Jar test

17
 CHAPTER 4

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

4.1. ALUM AS COAGULANT:

Table:1 Turbidity removal percentage for alum

DOSAGE(ml) INITIAL FINAL %REMOVAL

TURBIDITY(NTU) TURBIDITY(NTU)
1 29.8 3.6 87.91
1.5 29.8 3.5 88.25
2 29.8 3.2 89.29
2.5 29.8 2.6 91.27

COAGULANT-ALUM
91.5

91

90.5
%
R
90
E
M
89.5
O
V 89
A
L 88.5

88

87.5
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
DOSAGE OF ALUM(ml)

Fig.15. Turbidity percentage removal using alum

From this graph it can be noted that the maximum percentage of turbidity
removal is achieved at 2.5 ml of alum dosage for low turbid water.

18
4.2. NEEM BARK AS COAGULANT

4.2.1. Jar test with river water(neem bark)

TABLE.2. Turbidity removal percentage for neem bark-1

DOSAGE(ml) INITIAL FINAL

TURBIDITY(NTU) TURBIDITY(NTU)
2 19.5 19.6
4 19.5 19.8
6 19.5 19.7
8 19.5 19.3

TABLE.3. Turbidity removal percentage for neem bark-2

DOSAGE(ml) INITIAL FINAL

TURBIDITY(NTU) TURBIDITY(NTU)
2 13.3 14
4 13.3 14.8
6 13.3 14
8 13.3 14.6

From the table 2& 3 it can be said that the usage of natural coagulant
(neem bark) induces colour to the water sample for low turbid water .Hence we
cannot use neem bark as natural coagulant for low turbid water.But with
additional treatment to remove colour we may use this one as natural coagulant.

19
 4.2.2. Jar test with river water (neem bark and alum)
Neem bark and alum are added in the ratio 1:1

Fig.16.Neem bark and alum in ratio 1:1

TABLE.4. Turbidity removal percentage for neem bark and alum

DOSAGE(ml) INITIAL FINAL %REMOVAL

TURBIDITY(NTU) TURBIDITY(NTU)
2 19.5 13.6 30.25
4 19.5 14.2 27.17
6 19.5 14.5 25.64
8 19.5 14.4 26.15

20
 COAGULANT - NEEM AND ALUM
31

30
%
R 29
E
M
28
O
V
27
A
L
26

25
0 2 4 6 8 10
DOSAGE(ml)

Fig.17 Turbidity percentage removal using neem bark and alum

From this graph it can be said that the usage of natural coagulant (neem
bark) with alum the maximum percentage removal is 30.25% at 2ml for low
turbid water. Hence we can reduce the usage of chemical coagulant.

4.2.3. Jar test with synthetic water (neem bark)

TABLE.5. Turbidity removal percentage for neem bark in synthetic water

DOSAGE(ml) INITIAL FINAL %REMOVAL

TURBIDITY(NTU) TURBIDITY(NTU)
2 85 75.7 10.9
4 85 72.0 15
6 85 75.8 10.8
8 85 65.6 22.8
10 85 66 22.3
12 85 75 11.7
14 85 71.1 1.3
16 85 69.7 18

21
 COAGULANT - NEEM
30

25
%
R 20
E
M
15
O
V
A 10
L
5

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
DOSAGE OF COAGULANT(ml)

Fig.18. Turbidity percentage removal using neem bark in synthetic water

From the above graph it can be noted that high percentage removal
achieved is 22.8% at 8ml dosage. The usage of natural coagulant
(neem bark) does not induces colour to the water sample for high
turbid water

4.3 TULSI ROOT AS COAGULANT:

4.3.1. Jar test with river water (tulsi root)

TABLE.6. Turbidity removal percentage for tulsi root

DOSAGE(ml) INITIAL FINAL %REMOVAL

TURBIDITY(NTU) TURBIDITY(NTU)
2 19.5 19.2 1.53
4 19.5 18.6 4.61
6 19.5 18.1 7.17
8 19.5 18.3 6.15

22
 8
COAGULANT-TULSI
7
% 6
R
E 5
M
4
O
V 3
A
L 2

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

DOSAGE(ml)

Fig.19 Turbidity percentage removal using tulsi root

From the above graph it can be seen that the natural coagulant (tulsi root) is
suitable for low turbid water and there is no colour change in water sample. The
maximum removal percentage obtained is 7.17% at 6ml dosage.

4.3.2. Jar test with river water(tulsi root and alum)

Tulsi root and alum are added in the ratio 1:1

Fig.20.tulsi root and alum in ratio 1:1

23
 TABLE.7. Turbidity removal percentage for tulsi root and alum

DOSAGE(ml) INITIAL FINAL %REMOVAL

TURBIDITY(NTU) TURBIDITY(NTU)
2 19.5 17.5 10.25
4 19.5 16.9 13.33
6 19.5 17.4 10.76
8 19.5 17.9 8.20

COAGULANT - TULSI AND ALUM

14

12

10
%
R
E 8
M
O 6
V
A 4
L
2

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
DOSAGE OF ALUM(ml)

Fig.21 Turbidity percentage removal using tulsi and alum

From this graph it can be said that the usage of natural coagulant (tulsi
root) with alum the maximum percentage removal is 13.33% at 4ml dosage for
low turbid water. Hence we can reduce the usage of chemical coagulant.

24
 4.3.3. Jar test with synthetic water(tulsi root)
TABLE.8. Turbidity percentage removal for tulsi root in synthetic water

DOSAGE(ml) INITIAL FINAL %REMOVAL

TURBIDITY(NTU) TURBIDITY(NTU)
2 91.5 86.6 5.3
4 91.5 85 7.1
6 91.5 84.9 7.2
8 91.5 87.9 3.9
10 91.5 90.7 0.8
12 91.5 89.2 2.5
14 91.5 89 2.7
16 91.5 88.9 2.8

Fig.22.Final turbidity readings for jar test using tulsi root in synthetic water

25
 COAGULANT - TULSI ROOT
8
7
%
r 6
e 5
m
o 4
v 3
a
2
l
1
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Dosage(ml)

Fig.23. Turbidity percentage removal using tulsi root in synthetic water

From the above graph it can be noted that high percentage removal
achieved is 7.2% at 6ml dosage. Hence the usage of natural coagulant
(tulsi root).

26
 CHAPTER 5
CONCLUSION

From this experimental study it can be concluded that the maximum

turbidity removal for low turbid water using tulsi root as natural coagulant is 7.2
% at 6ml dosage and there is no percentage removal when neem bark is added
as natural coagulant. The maximum percentage removal for high turbid water
using neem bark as natural coagulant is 22.8 % at 8ml dosage and as in case of
tulsi as natural coagulant the percentage removal is 9.17 %.When the natural
coagulant (neem bark) is added to the chemical coagulant (alum) in ratio 1: 1, it
can be noted that the maximum percentage removal of turbidity obtained is
30.28 % at dosage of 2ml.whereas when the natural coagulant (tulsi root) is
added to the chemical coagulant (alum) in ratio 1:1, it can be noted that
maximum percentage removal of turbidity obtained is 13.33 % at dosage of
4ml. Thus, the natural coagulant (neem bark) is suitable for high turbid water.
Hence by using this natural coagulant we can reduce the cost of chemical
coagulant. On the whole tulsi root and neem bark have low removal efficiency
compared to alum.

27
REFERENCE

1. Adams, F.V and Mulaba-Bafubiandi,A.F,(2014) “Application of rice hull

ash for turbidity removal from water”,in physics and chemistry of
earth,vol 4,pg 73-76.
2. Birima,A.H, Hammad,H.A, Desa,M.N.M. and Muda,Z.C, (2013)
“Extraction of natural coagulant from peanut seeds for treatment of turbid
water” in IOP Conf. Series:Earth and Environmental Science
16(2013)012065, IOP Publishing Ltd, pg 1-4.
3. Dhruva.R and Suresh.B, (2016) “An Investigation of effect of natural
coagulant (tulsi) for reduction of pH, turbidity and cod from sewage
water” in International research journal of Engineering and
technology,vol 3,Issue 7, pg 759-762.
4. Hayelom Dargo Beyene, Tessema Derbe Hailegebrial, and Work Batu
Dirersa, (2016) “Investigation of coagulation activity of cactus powder in
water treatment” in journal of Applied Chemistry,Hindawi publishing
corporation ,vol 2016, Article ID 7815903 , 9pages.
5. Kalyani Ladole, (2012) “Rajma powder as a natural coagulant in turbidity
removal from raw water” in international journal of current research, vol
4, Issue 8, pg 38-39.
6. Nik Azimatolakma Awang, Hamidi Abdul Aziz (2012), “Hibiscus Rosa-
Sinensis leaf extract as coagulant aid in leachate treatment” vol 2,pg 293-
298.
7. Robert Natumanya and James Okot-Okumu, (2015) “Evaluating
coagulant activity of locally available Syzygium Cumini , Artocarpus
Heterophyllus and Moringa Oleifera for treatment of community drinking
water, uganda” in international journal of biological and chemical
science,vol 9,Issue 6,pg 2535-2554.
8. American Public Health Association.

28