The 2025 J.U.C. Awards | Submitted Category: RESEARCH | Dedication theme: #WaterActionDecade
Submission Code: R5 #JUC2025 | Word count: 1316 (References excluded.)

WATER PURIFICATION USING ORGANIC MATERIALS

Introduction

[#JUCAwards2025] Water is essential for life, and access to safe drinking water is critical for maintaining good health. Contaminated or unsafe water can cause serious health issues and lead to various diseases. While advanced water purification technologies are available, they are often expensive and inaccessible, especially in impoverished and developing regions. Additionally, many existing purification methods rely on chemicals that could have harmful health effects. In this project, I designed a nature-inspired water purification filter using organic and natural materials, making it an affordable and accessible solution for underserved communities. By utilizing locally sourced resources, this filter reduces the reliance on expensive and potentially harmful chemicals, providing a more sustainable approach to water purification. The simple yet efficient design ensures ease of use and maintenance, making it ideal for rural and low-income areas. This innovative filter not only delivers clean drinking water but also empowers communities to improve their health and well-being, fostering long-term benefits for public health and quality of life.

Abstract
The purification method in this project is based on osmosis through natural membranes. Coconut charcoal is used to filter out impurities, including microbial contaminants, due to its high density of micropores that efficiently absorb organic compounds and chemicals. In addition, banana stems, known for their ability to absorb heavy metals and minerals, further purify the water, making it safe to drink at an extremely low cost. This dual filtration system not only enhances the removal of harmful substances but also utilizes locally available, renewable resources, ensuring both sustainability and affordability. The combination of coconut charcoal and banana stems effectively reduces pollutants such as pesticides and heavy metals, providing cleaner water. Furthermore, the system is designed to be simple to maintain and adaptable to different water sources, making it a practical solution for communities with varying needs. This cost-effective and eco-friendly approach offers a reliable alternative to traditional water purification methods, which often depend on chemical treatments.

Materials Used:
This water purification system utilizes organic and eco-friendly materials for effective filtration. The primary filtering medium is banana stem cellulose, known for its excellent adsorption properties and ability to trap fine particles and pollutants. Charcoal from coconut shells serves as an adsorbent, effectively removing organic impurities, odors, and harmful chemicals due to its high surface area and porosity. Coconut fiber acts as a pre-filter, capturing large particles, dirt, and debris. These filtering components are housed securely within a filter holder and protected by a filter cape, ensuring proper flow and preventing external contamination. Water micro tubes facilitate smooth water transfer through the system, while a mini water pump, powered by a 12V power supply, maintains a steady flow rate for efficient purification. This low-power system is both cost-effective and energy- efficient, making it suitable for integration with renewable energy sources such as solar power. The modular design and use of natural materials enhance the system’s sustainability and adaptability for
various water treatment applications.

Procedure:
Charcoal serves as a powerful and natural water filter, with the carbon it contains absorbing toxins and removing particles as small as 1 micron. It is also effective in filtering out harmful chemicals such as nitrogen oxide, lead, and sulfur oxide.Banana stems are chopped into small pieces and then dried in the shade to maintain their natural properties. This drying method helps preserve the integrity of the cellulose fibers, ensuring they remain suitable for filtration while also preventing any microbial growth.

Banana stems contain cellulose fibers, which can be used as filter materials. These fibers have excellent absorbent properties, allowing them to effectively capture and remove impurities from water. Additionally, they are biodegradable, making them an environmentally friendly option for water filtration.These filters are biodegradable, renewable, affordable, and low-abrasive.

Once dried, the banana stems are powdered to achieve a filter-grade consistency, which enhances their ability to trap and remove contaminants effectively.

Similarly, coconut fibers are washed and dried.Coconut fiber filters water by absorbing impurities as it passes through its layers, removing particles, toxins, and parasites, including cryptosporidium and giardia. The fibrous structure of coconut material helps trap both large and small contaminants, ensuring a thorough purification process. Additionally, the natural properties of coconut fiber make it an effective and sustainable solution for water filtration, providing an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic filter materials.

Three containers are prepared—one for stacking coconut shell charcoal, another for banana stem powder, and the third for coconut fiber materials. Each container is designed to hold the specific filter material securely, ensuring proper flow and maximum filtration efficiency. Additionally, the containers are constructed to allow easy assembly and disassembly for maintenance and material replacement when necessary.

The three containers are carefully packed and compressed to optimize the filtration process and ensure maximum efficiency.Each container is equipped with an inlet and outlet tube for water flow.

Salty or impure water is pumped through the three filter containers in sequence, allowing the contaminants to be removed progressively.The filtered water is collected from the outlet of the third container and thoroughly tested for its purity.

Standard tests, such as microbial analysis, turbidity measurement, and chemical contaminant testing, are conducted to assess the level of purification. These tests ensure that the filtered water is free from

harmful bacteria, viruses, and hazardous chemicals. Additionally, regular monitoring of the filtration system helps maintain its effectiveness and ensures consistent water quality over time.

The filtration system can be easily scaled for different volumes of water and is designed to be low-maintenance, ensuring long-term usability in various settings. Its modular design allows for easy expansion or adjustment based on the water requirements of different communities or industries. Additionally, the system’s durable components ensure reliability and consistent performance over time, reducing the need for frequent repairs or replacements.

Once the filtration process is complete, the filtered water meets health and safety standards, making it suitable for drinking and other essential uses. Regular testing and quality checks ensure that the water consistently meets the required purity levels. The system also helps reduce the risk of waterborne diseases, providing a reliable and safe source of clean water for communities.

The system offers an environmentally friendly, cost-effective solution to water purification, particularly for rural and underserved areas. By utilizing natural, renewable materials, it minimizes the environmental impact compared to conventional chemical-based treatments. Additionally, its low operational cost makes it accessible to communities with limited resources, helping improve public in these regions.
Test Before Filter pH 8.21 TDS 961ppm Appearance Dark Electrical Conductivity 2381 μS/cm Salinity 13.5ppt

Advantages of Water Purification Using Organic Materials
health and quality of life
After Filter 7.59
536ppm Clear 342 μS/cm 1.92ppt

1. Eco-Friendly and Sustainable
   Organic materials are biodegradable, renewable, and environmentally friendly, making them an excellent alternative to synthetic chemicals in water treatment.
2. Cost-Effective
   Many organic materials, such as plant seeds (e.g., Moringa oleifera) and agricultural by-products, are inexpensive and widely available, reducing the overall cost of water purification systems.
3. Non-Toxic and Safe
   Unlike chemical coagulants and synthetic adsorbents, organic materials pose minimal risk to human health and do not introduce harmful by-products into the treated water.
4. Biodegradable Waste
   The sludge generated during water treatment using organic materials is often biodegradable and can be repurposed as fertilizer or compost, minimizing waste disposal issues.
5. Wide Range of Pollutant Removal
   Organic materials can remove various pollutants, including:
   o Heavy metals (through adsorption by biochar and chitosan)
   o Dyes and organic compounds (using biochar and cellulose-based filters)
   o Suspended solids (through natural coagulation using plant-based coagulants)
6. Scalable and Locally Applicable
   Organic water purification methods are suitable for both small-scale (household or rural) and large-scale (industrial or municipal) applications. They can be tailored to local needs, especially in low-resource areas.
7. Minimal Energy Requirement
   Most organic purification processes, such as natural coagulation and biochar adsorption, require little to no energy, making them ideal for off-grid or remote areas.

References

• Kombucha water filters can resist clogging better than commercial options,
  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/01/220119155229.htm
• Pavlou, A. K., and A. P. F. Turner. “Sniffing out the truth: clinical diagnosis using the electronic nose.” (2000): 99-112.
• Carbon fiber coated by quinoa cellulose nanosheet, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-12889-9
• IIT Gandhinagar Develops Affordable, Ecofriendly Water Desalination Technique For Seawater, https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/iitgn-researchers- develop-economical-eco-friendly-technique-7762166/
• Purifying water with banana waste: a hope for the inhabitants of the Ecuadorian Amazon https://www.planet.veolia.com/en/water-management-purify-bananas- amazon-un-siwi

The 2025 J.U.C. Awards | Submitted Category: RESEARCH | Dedication theme: #WaterActionDecade | Submission Code: R5 #JUC2025 | Word count: 1316 (References excluded.)

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