DE LA SALLE ARANETA UNIVERSITY

Pioneer in Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine

Don Salvador Araneta Campus, Victoneta Avenue, Malabon City
BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Science Unit
S.Y. 2019 – 2020

Using solar purified water for Hydroponics

Panis, Lou Danica R.; Sadia, Aldrich Mark D.; Grande, Lloyd Patrick B.; Timoteo,
Hans Emannuel G.; Aquilino, Princess Joelle G.; Ty, Samaya Marie J.
Group # 3
Gr. 9 – Philippians

1. INTRODUCTION

A research conducted by Treacy M. (2015), the remote village of La Mancalona located in the
Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico used to be a place where clean water was scarce and bottled water
was being sold for a much higher price than sodas. But just after the span of two years, they now
have a reliable source of safe and clean water and a profitable business. This positive outcome
was thanks to the MIT-designed solar-powered water purification system that the village was
able to experience first-hand. The reverse osmosis system has two photovoltaic solar panels that
charges a set of pumps that pushes both brackish well-water and rain water that will be purified
with the help of semi porous membranes. The machine produces about 1,000 gallons of water
per day for the 450 residents of the village. Because of the lack of clean water sources and its
year-round sunshine, LaMancalona was chosen as a test site. Besides that, the village also had
another asset: its residents are farmers who are very handy and could operate the system on their
own. The residents were quick to learn how to operate and maintain the machine by themselves.
“ Farming, if there’s something wrong with your well, you’re the one stuck fixing it, because no
one’s going to drive into the jungle to help you. So they were very handy, which made it easy for
us to train them”, as stated by MIT researcher Huda Elasaad.

The problems that the researchers are trying to solve are the lack of potable water and fertile land
for vegetation and not enough supply of crops (lettuce) during summer. The researchers want to
purify water using the solar power at a low-cost. To use the said water for hydroponics and lastly
is to create a simple purifier powered by solar energy.

Portable water is scarce vital resource. It is estimated that only 0.4% of water on the planet is fit
for human consumption. This is why it is essential to invest in water purification, to ensure that
everyone has access to this vital resource according to acciona.com

According to HealthyHarvest.com (n.d.) Water is the basic “carrier” in hydroponics as it

dissolves and transports nutrients for plants. However, water also dissolves a lot of impurities
that can be harmful to plants. Poor water quality can lead to a number of plant growth problems
including a stunted growth, mineral toxicity or deficiency symptoms, build up of unwanted
elements in plant tissue, bacterial contamination, etc. (Merck Millpore) You’ll want to begin
with a high-quality water before you add in your growth nutrients. You should reduce the PPM

1
 DE LA SALLE ARANETA UNIVERSITY
Pioneer in Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
Don Salvador Araneta Campus, Victoneta Avenue, Malabon City
BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Science Unit
S.Y. 2019 – 2020

of your water by using an RO or Reverse Osmosis Unit. pH should be measured so that it falls
around 5.8 to 6.2 If you are growing in soil or in coco, pH should be around 6 to 6.8 (Healthy
Harvest). Home tap water contains a range of chemicals and minerals which can be damaging
towards plants. Thankfully, there are ways to test and treat your tap water to make it safe for
your plants. (Smart Garden Guide)

2
 DE LA SALLE ARANETA UNIVERSITY
Pioneer in Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
Don Salvador Araneta Campus, Victoneta Avenue, Malabon City
BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Science Unit
S.Y. 2019 – 2020

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

Construction of Portable Water Purifier

The materials needed for this set up are: wooden sheet enclosures, a sheet of glass, aluminum
foil, insulation, glue preferably a water resistant one, black paint, container for the purified water
and a black tray that can absorb heat.

Paint the wooden or sheet metal closure into black because this would enhance the absorption of
heat. After that you will install the reflective surface at the back and side walls of the
wooden/metal enclosure and then glue the insulation to the bottom.

Purification of water using the purifier

The materials needed for this process are: container that contains the contaminated water, glass
top, solar purifier set up.

Put the tray that has the contaminated water inside the enclosure and place the glass on top. Next,
arrange the catch trough at the bottom of the glass, angled downward to a container to collect the
purified water. Finally, aim the contraption at the sun.

Drip system hydroponics

The materials needed for this procedure are: drip system hydroponics set up, purified water from
the purifier, nutrient solution for hydroponics and seeds that will be planted.

Arrange the drip system hydroponics with the nutrient solution mixed to the water. Plug in the
water pump. Lastly turn on the hydroponics system.

3
 DE LA SALLE ARANETA UNIVERSITY
Pioneer in Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
Don Salvador Araneta Campus, Victoneta Avenue, Malabon City
BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Science Unit
S.Y. 2019 – 2020

Table 1 Construction of Portable Solar Purifier

Painting of Application of Application of

wooden or metal reflective surface insulation
enclosure to the walls

Table 2 Purification of water using purifier

Place the tray Put the glass top Arrange the catch
inside

Angle the
Aim the set up to container
the sun downward

Table 3 Usage of purified water for drip system hydroponics

Turn on the drip

Place the water Plug in the
system
with nutrients pump
hydroponics

4
 DE LA SALLE ARANETA UNIVERSITY
Pioneer in Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
Don Salvador Araneta Campus, Victoneta Avenue, Malabon City
BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Science Unit
S.Y. 2019 – 2020

3. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The researchers would like to find a solution for the lack of clean water because of water sources
being dried out due to the hot temperature in the country. The researchers would like to find a
way to filter contaminated water using solar power at a low-cost and to use the water for
hydroponics.

Specifically, our research aims to:

1. Construct a water purifying machine that will be fueled by sunlight.

2. Use the purified water for hydroponics.

3. Produce your own vegetation at home.

4. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will be a significant help for people who live in rural areas and people with
difficulties in having a reliable source of clean water. This study will also be helpful for people
that have their own hydroponic systems or gardens at their homes.

This study will be beneficial for all of the farmers, because our investigatory project is aiming to
help farmers that lack proper or clean water for their crops

This study will also be beneficial for homeowners that have big or small hydroponic gardens.
The plants will tend to grow bigger, produce much more nutrients and will last longer.

5
 DE LA SALLE ARANETA UNIVERSITY
Pioneer in Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
Don Salvador Araneta Campus, Victoneta Avenue, Malabon City
BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Science Unit
S.Y. 2019 – 2020

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Acciona: Experts in designing a better planet.(n.d.). Retrieved on February 16, 2020 from

https://www.acciona.com/water-treatment/purification/

Britannica: Water Purification.(2018, June) Retrieved on February 16, 2020 from

https://www.britannica.com/topic/water-purification

Climate technology centre& network: Solar Water Purification.(n.d.). Retrieved on February 16,

2020 from https://www.ctc-n.org/technologies/solar-water-purification

Digital Trends: These solar-powered water purifiers can produce 30,000 gallons of water per

day.(2018, October) Retrieved on February 16, 2020 from

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/quench-water-solar-

powered-water-purifier/%3famp

Dummies: How to Build a Solar-Powered Water Purifier.(2016, March) Retrieved on February

16, 2020 from https://www.dummies.com/home-garden/green-building/how-to-build-a-

solar-powered-water-purifier/

Energyinwater. (n.d.). The hydroponic system: a way to save water. Retrieved on February 16,

2020 from https://www.energyinwater.eu/hydroponic-systems-a-way-to-save-water/

Epic gardening.(2019, January). Are you able to use tap water for hydroponics? Retrieved on

February 16, 2020 from https://www.epicgardening.com/tap-water-hydroponics/

Healthy harvest.(n.d). 8 steps to successful hydroponics.Retrieved on February 16, 2020 from

https://www.healthyharvest.com/8-steps-to-successful-hydroponics/

6
 DE LA SALLE ARANETA UNIVERSITY
Pioneer in Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
Don Salvador Araneta Campus, Victoneta Avenue, Malabon City
BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Science Unit
S.Y. 2019 – 2020

Helioscsp.(n.d.).Concentrated Solar Power and use of seawater greenhouses in

hydroponics. Retrieved on February 16,2020 from http://helioscsp.com/concentrated

solar power and use of seawater greenhouses in hydroponics/

Merry Bevill: How to Purify a Water Using the Sun.(n.d.). Retrieved on February 16, 2020 from

https://www.sunshineonmyshoulder.com/how-to-purify-water-using-the-sun/

Merck.(n.d). Water for hydroponics. Retrieved on February 16,2020 from

https://www.merckmillipore.com/INTL/en/water-purification/learning-

centers/applications/animals-an

d-plants/hydroponics/water-

impact/GQ2b.qB.RDgAAAFAMjkQWTtI,nav?ReferrerURL=https%3A%2

F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&bd=1

Robery F. Service: Sunlight-powered purifier could clean water for the impoverished.(2017,

February 2). Retrieved on February 16, 2020 from

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/02/sunlight-powered-purifier-could-clean-water-

impoverished

Robert F. Service: New solar technology could produce clean drinking water for millions in

need.(2019, June 28). Retrieved on February 16, 2020 from

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/06/new-solar-technology-could-produce-clean-

drinking-water-millions-need

7
 DE LA SALLE ARANETA UNIVERSITY
Pioneer in Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
Don Salvador Araneta Campus, Victoneta Avenue, Malabon City
BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Science Unit
S.Y. 2019 – 2020

Smart garden guide.(n.d). Can you use tap water for hydroponics? Retrieved on February 16,

2020 from https://smartgardenguide.com/can-you-use-tap-water-for-hydroponics/

Science daily.(n.d.).Water purification. Retrieved on February 16, 2020 from

https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/water_purification.htm

Science mag. (n.d.). Sunlight-powered purifier could clean water for the impoverished. Retrieved

on February 16,2020 from https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/02/sunlight powered

purifier could clean water impoverished/

Sciencemag. (n.d.).New solar technology could produce clean drinking water for millions in

need. Retrieved on February 16, 2020 from

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/06/new solar technology could produce clean

drinking water millions need/

Sunshine on my shoulder.(n.d.).How to purify water using the sun. Retrieved on February

16,2020 from https://www.sunshineonmyshoulder.com/how-to-purify-water-using-the-

sun/

Titanium Dioxide Manufacturers Association.(n.d.). Using sunlight to clean water. Retrieved on

February 16, 2020 from https://tdma.info/using-sunlight-to-clean-water/

Treehugger: A solar-poweredwater purification system a huge success in a Mexican village.(

2015, October) Retrieved on February 16, 2020 from

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.treehugger.com/clean-technology/amp/solar-

powered-water-purification-system-huge-success-mexican-village.html

Urbanorganicyield.(n.d.).The impact of tap water in hydroponics and how to reduce its negative

8
 DE LA SALLE ARANETA UNIVERSITY
Pioneer in Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
Don Salvador Araneta Campus, Victoneta Avenue, Malabon City
BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Science Unit
S.Y. 2019 – 2020

effects. Retrieved on February 16, 2020 from https://www.urbanorganicyield.com/tap-

water-and-its-impact-on-hydroponics/

9
 DE LA SALLE ARANETA UNIVERSITY
Pioneer in Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
Don Salvador Araneta Campus, Victoneta Avenue, Malabon City
BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Science Unit
S.Y. 2019 – 2020

APPENDIX
COST ANALYSIS

Proposed Cost Analysis of Investigatory Project

***Note. For each major step (e.g Phase A to F), list down extensively the expenses
following this format.
Location where
Quantity/ Subtotal (B X it will
Item Amount
Frequency C) purchased/
undertaken
Drip system 1 - - -
hydroponics
Metal sheets 4 200 800
Black paint 1 35 35
Glass sheet 1 250 250
Insulation 1 500 500
Water proof 1 200-250 200-250
glue
Containers 1 - - -
Aluminum foil 1 100 100
Aquarium 1 400 400

TOTAL 1,685-1,735 Php 2,285-2,335

10