Water Filtration

Jeremy Halling, Tyler Crow

19 December 2016
Polluted water that cannot be used for drinking, bathing, industry or agriculture may effectively

reduce the amount of water available for use in a given area. According to the UN,

approximately 3.5 million deaths related to inadequate water supply, sanitation and hygiene

occur each year, predominantly in developing countries. This results in the degradation of

ecosystems and no economic prosperity. EcoMENA supports these claims, stating It is

estimated that up to half of all hospital beds in the world are occupied by victims of water

contamination (Dakkak 1).

Organizations world-wide have unanimously concluded that inadequate water supplies are the

leading causes of death illness in developing countries and low income neighborhoods of the

United States. Although it is important to address the availability of safe water everywhere,

developing countries often lack the finances necessary for funding infrastructure than can

regulate water pollution. A lack of safe water produces economic, environmental and health

consequences that prevent a country from further advancing. With a method of detecting

pollution and filtering it out, there is an increased amount of water to be used immediately at the

hands of the consumers for human intake and sanitation.

The success of the solution will be tested with an actual safety yield and a theoretical safety

yield. It should most importantly be able to filter out visible pollutants, such as small debris. If

the product can simply strain small, evident fragments, it has fulfilled its most simple purpose.

The product is also expected to filter out chemical contaminants, verified by pH testing. If the

water contained has a pH level too acidic or basic, then the solution has not performed

successfully. The end result of filtration should be at least 65% of the input water, as to reduce

the strain and effort applied by the user. It is expected to work on a larger scale than drinking
water for one.

The math skills necessary are minimal, the most demanding being an understanding of logs and

units of measurements. A thorough understanding of chemistry is also required. Concepts being

utilized include acid-base reactions, thermochemistry, properties of liquids (including

suspensions and colloids), and chemical equilibrium. An understanding of combining

construction and the previous concepts will be utilized and developed. It would also prove

beneficial to reach out and understand the immediate circumstances of those most in need of the

product, volunteers and government officials being the most knowledgeable.

Our team will search out additional expert feedback; however we also seek advice from someone

who knows the limitations and resources already available to the consumer. We are most

adamantly seeking government officials and environmental scientists.

The most commonly found apparatus has included a filter onto a cup or straw, however the filter

worked on a microscopic level as well, filtering out more than just large debris. The devices are

too small, though, to function and provide