Through our studies, we have found that the most promising solution lies in coagulation using a naturally occurring agent. According to ChemTreat, Coagulation is the process of “destabilizing” colloidal particles, particles such as bacteria and clay that repel each other due to their charge therefore cannot be filtered or settled out, so that they aggregate, or group, thus allowing flocculation, the process of building up groups of material big enough to be filtered and/or settled out. This coagulation process is used here is Rutherford County at the Consolidated Utility District Water Treatment Plant. After this process is completed, the water is almost ready for consumption. The water can be boiled or an agent can be added to the water to ensure all the bacteria is killed if water is found questionable.
Okra is a naturally occurring coagulant due to the polymer chains found within it.
Okra is a naturally occurring coagulant due to the polymer chains found within it.
- Run jar tests on various types of okra solution: dehydrated okra, fresh okra, with salt, without salt,
- Run jar tests using varying amounts of okra solution to determine most effective ratio for coagulation rates. (done)
- Run turbidity tests to determine quality of before determined values. If turbidity is at an acceptable level, continue to next step. If not, return to beginning. (done)
- Send water through entire process and run tests to determine quality of water. If water quality meets standards for human consumption, continue. If not, return to beginning. (done)
- Design mechanisms (mixer and filter) using materials comparable to materials available in Africa.
- Test mechanisms with process to ensure quality of process is maintained. Continue working on mechanisms until process produces acceptable quality of water for consumption.
- Publish blueprints necessary for mechanisms and process in a comprehensive guide.