Development of a low-cost dispenser-type water filtration system

Abstract

Water has always been one of the most significant utilities for humans because of its wide array of applications. The economic impact of the scarcity of supply to clean water for consumption in emergent nations like the Philippines, where a large proportion of the people suffer from water-related diseases due to scarcity of supply to clean water consumption. There is the proliferation of water refilling stations in the Philippines and the proportion of Filipino households relying on commercial water has been escalating but not everybody can adapt to this lifestyle. Another problem identified is, not every place has the access to such system like the communities living on the islands and near the shorelines. The low-cost dispenser-type water filtration system (LCDTWFS) developed will provide readily safe drinking water in the household. The equipment is made up of clay and has a volume capacity of 10 L. The clay used for filter fabrication has no harmful elements and no effect on the filtered water when used as a ceramic filter. The quality of the tap water was significantly improved after passing it through the LCDTWFS. The equipment was tested for 6 consecutive weeks after which, the characteristic of the filtered water is still within the standards of the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW). The bacteriological/microbiological, chemical, and physical characteristics of the filtered water are within the allowable limits of the PNSDW making it potable and safe for consumption. LCDTWFS is effective yet affordable since it has no electricity requirements, is sustainable, environment-friendly, easily manipulated, and easily produced by local craftsmen. This study can also contribute to the prosperity of rural potters since introducing this newly innovated product could be their source of additional income.

Keywords

• Ceramic filter
• Drinking water
• Water filtration
• Sustainable