LOW-COST HOUSEHOLD WATER FILTRATION: EFFICIENCY, LIMITATIONS AND OPTIMIZATION

Water Resource Engineering

Water contamination causes 3.4 million deaths annually, with 2.2 billion people lacking access to safe drinking water. This research investigates the development and efficacy of a low-cost water filtration system constructed from readily available materials for use in emergency situations and resource-limited environments. The system employs a multi-layer filtration design incorporating activated charcoal, sand, and gravel within a repurposed plastic container, with a total cost under $15 USD. Performance testing with three distinct water samples demonstrated significant improvements in water quality parameters including turbidity reduction (87.6%, 95% CI: 84.2-91.0%), pH normalization (to 7.1-7.4 range), and odor removal. Microbial analysis showed moderate reduction in total coliform counts (68.3%) but insufficient pathogen removal for safe drinking without additional disinfection. Comparative analysis with commercial filters showed the home-built system achieved 76% of the filtration efficiency at approximately 12% of the cost. While effective for improving aesthetic water qualities and removing certain contaminants, limitations include incomplete microbial decontamination, flow rate degradation over time, and partial heavy metal removal. Future development opportunities include integration of disinfection methods, modular design implementation, and incorporation of improved adsorption materials. This system is not intended to replace municipal treatment but provides an immediate, cost-effective improvement in water quality for emergency use and resource-limited areas. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on accessible water treatment solutions that can be rapidly deployed in crisis scenarios or implemented in communities with limited infrastructure.

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