Raw water storage and simple fluoride filters as methods of appropriate treatment for the removal of biological, physical and chemical impurities

Abstract

Because of the absence of appropriate technology that addresses the sociocultural condition of the community, the majority is consuming non-potable water. Storage of raw water in local vessels and filtration of fluoridated water in crushed bricks are simple methods of treating water. Samples of water from stream, spring and fluoridated water were used to see effect of storage and appropriate home made filters in the reduction of fecal coliform, turbidity, color, and fluoride. The respective samples with initial fecal coliform 578 MPN/100ml, turbidity 61.2 NTU, color 90 TCU, and pH 6.4 at a temperature of 20°C, have been stored for one, two and three days in claypots, plastic jerrycan) and metal bucket. The fluoridated water that was prepared in the laboratory was also filtered through crushed brick and porous clay por filters. The result showed very good reduction of contaminants after three days of storage, where, fecal coliform was reduced to 0 MPN/100ml in metal bucket, 60 MPN/100ml in jerrycan and 147 MPN/100ml in clay pot. Turbidity was lowered to 29.3 NTU in metal bucket; Color to 15 TCU in plastic and clay por and to 20 TCU in metal bucket. On the other hand storage of fluoride water sample with 6 mg/l or fluoride in clay pot resulted in reduction to 4.22 mg/1, 2.13 mg/l and 1.4 mg/l after one, two and three days of storage respectively. There was no change of fluoride concentration after storage in plastic jerrycan. A sample with a fluoride content of 8.23 mg/l became 3.52 mg/l when filtered through crushed brick. Another sample with 10 mg/l fluoride concentration was reduced to 0.62 mg/l, when filtered through porous clay pot. It is found that different containers have different efficiency in the reduction of contaminants, as metal bucket is best for fecal coliform organisms, plastic jerrycan for turbidity, and clay pot and plastic jerrycan for color reduction. This study has revealed that storage of rm water and using clay filters can remove biological, physical and fluoride contaminants (fecal coliform, color and fluoride) up to a level recommended by WHO. It is believed that with further perfection communities who lack safe water source can use the method just mentioned to improve the quality of their water in their homes. Introduction Pure water is a clear, colorless, tasteless and odorless fluid. It is a also a strong solvent that dissolves gas, mineral and humic substances through which it flows and carries substantial quantity of silt, microorganisms and other chemicals. Microorganisms find their way in to water and depend upon circumstances to multiply