Filter That Water !!

This water unit was all about water filtration and how water is given to us. We have been studying how water is made into potable drinking water through the “Water Cycle”. I have to say, i’m kind of proud of my water filter and how it worked. The most difficult part, by far, would have to be gathering materials for the project. I have learned that no matter how much some water is filtered, it will still be dirty.

“Filter that water”, D.R., 1 Oct. 2013.

The only materials needed for this project are: cylindrical container (preferably tall), knife/ scissors, 2 Mason jars, grass/dirt, unfiltered water source, charcoal/ activated carbon, and coffee filters. To build a filter, take these steps: First, gather the materials above. Cut the cylindrical container in half and poke a hole in the cap. Next, stuff the cotton balls in the cap of the bottle. Layer grass and dirt on top of the cotton balls. After, put the cylindrical container in the mason jar, so that the filtered water can be collected. Test the pH of the unfiltered water and record. Pour unfiltered water into the cylindrical container. After the water has filtered through the apparatus, add a pinch (about a gram) of activated carbon. Gently swirl the water to mix the carbon. Filter the water a second time through coffee filters into another Mason jar. Lastly, re-test the pH of your filtered water and record.

How the filter worked was simple; the different layers in the cylindrical container filtered out the bigger debris, whereas the charcoal bound to impurities in the water and sterilized it. My filter worked by using the different properties inside the filter to catch extra dangerous particles in the unfiltered water. The layers catch the debris that shouldn't be in the water, such as dirt, sand, and waste particles. I know that my filter did something to my water, because not only did the color change, but so did the pH.

Before filtration, the water measured a pH of 7, which is neutral, meaning neither acidic or basic. Water at a pH of 7 is health to drink, and falls within the “safe zone” for humans. I was extremely surprised that the filtration process LOWERED the pH to 5, a more acidic value, and outside the “safe” drinking range. Using the log equation for pH (pH = -log [H+]), I know that a pH of 5 is 100 times more acidic than a pH of 7, and also has more hydrogen ions.

I would like to follow up this project with more experiments. In doing so, I might figure out why the pH became more acidic, rather than just cleaner and better tasting. I also wonder, if I had started off with an extremely acidic or basic pH, would the filter have improved the quality of the water? These are some ideas I’m interested in exploring.


References:
“Water Purification.”, n.p. Web. 4 Oct. 2013.