Development of a novel & low cost domestic filter unit to treat drinking water contaminants
Start Date
27-5-2022 10:00 AM
End Date
27-5-2022 10:15 AM
Abstract
Development of a novel & low cost domestic filter unit to treat drinking water contaminants
1Ganegoda, S.S, 1Manage, P.M. and 2Alahakoon, C.
1Centre for Water Quality and Algae Research, Department of Zoology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
2Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
The provision of adequate volumes of safe, clean drinking water to the world’s growing population is a continual and increasing challenge for water authorities. In Sri Lankan context, cyanotoxin in water has been hypothesized as one of the root causes for Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown etiology (CKDu). Unpleasant Taste & Odour (T&O), pesticides and antibiotic contamination of water are other burning concerns. The aim of designing this filter was to provide a solution to these four intense and urgent issues. Water was treated by incorporating three different filter units namely membrane filter, natural rutile sand combined with UV light filter and finally activated carbon filter. Natural Rutile sand found in Srilankan coastal belt was used as a photo catalyst material which contains more than 90% of Titanium dioxide. Laboratory produced wood based activated carbon was used to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the water treatment, by adsorbing by products of pollutants. The model filter showed complete removal of cyanotoxin, T&O forming Geosmin and 2- MIB, antibiotics and Carbofuran pesticides. Hence, in the commercial production cycle, this product will help to provide safe, clean water to population who consumed contaminated water from dug wells.
Development of a novel & low cost domestic filter unit to treat drinking water contaminants
Development of a novel & low cost domestic filter unit to treat drinking water contaminants
1Ganegoda, S.S, 1Manage, P.M. and 2Alahakoon, C.
1Centre for Water Quality and Algae Research, Department of Zoology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
2Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
The provision of adequate volumes of safe, clean drinking water to the world’s growing population is a continual and increasing challenge for water authorities. In Sri Lankan context, cyanotoxin in water has been hypothesized as one of the root causes for Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown etiology (CKDu). Unpleasant Taste & Odour (T&O), pesticides and antibiotic contamination of water are other burning concerns. The aim of designing this filter was to provide a solution to these four intense and urgent issues. Water was treated by incorporating three different filter units namely membrane filter, natural rutile sand combined with UV light filter and finally activated carbon filter. Natural Rutile sand found in Srilankan coastal belt was used as a photo catalyst material which contains more than 90% of Titanium dioxide. Laboratory produced wood based activated carbon was used to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the water treatment, by adsorbing by products of pollutants. The model filter showed complete removal of cyanotoxin, T&O forming Geosmin and 2- MIB, antibiotics and Carbofuran pesticides. Hence, in the commercial production cycle, this product will help to provide safe, clean water to population who consumed contaminated water from dug wells.