A Sustainable Water Purification Solution for Rural Communities

Abstract

This study describes a method to decrease the incidence of diseases caused by pesticides, heavy metals, and bacteria through a simple, low-cost, and sustainable personal water purification solution for the citizens of Nagcarlan, Laguna in the Philippines. Activated carbon (AC) adsorption was the primary treatment used in the removal of methomyl, a carbamate pesticide, and hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), a heavy metal. Also, citricidal was used to disinfect water from coliforms. Surface hydroxyl with aliphatic and aromatic groups from the AC, were confirmed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The point of zero charge was determined to be 7.875 using pH drift tests. The optimal dosage from batch adsorption was found to be between 0.5 and 0.9 g/100 mL with a 28-30% Cr(VI) removal.. Results of Cr(VI) column adsorption through rapid small-scale column tests (RSSCT) showed that approximately 55% removal was attained for 1 hour using 2 L solution. It was also found out through RSSCT that 30 mg of citricidal and 0.3 g of AC resulted in 100% E.coli abrogation for at least 50 mL of contaminated water having a fecal coliform count of 2,000 colonies per 100 mL.