Chapter 1
A. Introduction
Water is a vital resource for human life, used for drinking, washing, and bathing.
However, overuse, pollution, and climate change increasingly threaten global water
systems ("High Level Panel on Water", n.d.). The rapid development of the
Philippines has led to increased water pollution, with only 47% of assessed water
bodies having good quality, 40% having fair quality, and 13% having poor quality
("Greentumble", 2015). Water is a limited resource; water filtration is crucial for
conservation and pollution reduction. Viscosity, a measure of a fluid's resistance to
flow, is an important factor in water filtration. High viscosity can hinder the filtration
process and reduce the flow rate, making the water less usable for various
applications.
Oil is a significant source of water pollution, often a byproduct of manufacturing
processes or large-scale spills ("Nanoscale", 2017). This contaminant can lead to the
formation of stable emulsions and increase water viscosity.
Water filtration, a key conservation and pollution reduction tool, can be achieved
through various methods. While many modern filtration systems rely on advanced,
expensive technologies, this study introduces a simple, cost-effective alternative.
The proposed filtration system, using pebbles, coconut husk, and charcoal, is
designed to be accessible to many users, empowering them to contribute to water
conservation efforts.
The pebbles serve as the initial, coarse filtration layer. Their primary function is to
trap large suspended particles like leaves, twigs, and other debris. This step is
essential as it prevents the finer materials below from clogging, extending the
filter's lifespan and efficiency.
Beneath the pebbles, the coconut husk acts as a filter for medium-sized particles.
The fibrous and porous nature of coconut husk is excellent for trapping suspended
solids, silt, and other organic matter. This natural, widely available, and sustainable
material effectively removes particles that pass through the initial pebble layer.
The final and most critical layer is charcoal. This material, particularly activated
charcoal, purifies water through adsorption, a process where molecules of pollutants
bind to the vast surface area of the charcoal. Unlike absorption, where a substance
is taken into the volume of another substance, adsorption involves the adhesion of
atoms, ions, or molecules from a gas, liquid, or dissolved solid to a surface. This
mechanism allows charcoal to effectively remove a wide range of dissolved
impurities, chemicals, and odors, often responsible for higher viscosity. Using
charcoal makes the water clearer, less viscous, and better suited for specific
industrial and environmental applications, such as cleaning up oil spills. This multi-
layered filtration system combines physical and chemical processes to create a
simple yet effective method for water treatment.
B. Statement of the problem
This study aims to provide an alternative way of filtering water using accessible
materials. The researchers believe that a filtration system composed of pebbles,
coconut husk, and charcoal can help produce less viscous water for a faster flow
rate. By evaluating the water flow through several filtration trials, we aim to
demonstrate this system's potential to impact water conservation significantly.
With a minimal conservation cost, which refers to the cost of preserving or
protecting water resources, the reliability and serviceability of a water filtration
system using filters such as pebbles, coconut husk, and charcoal might seem
inefficient. To address this problem, the researchers will build a water filtration
system to test its applicability and efficiency in producing less viscous water. The
outcome of this research will determine if the reliability and serviceability of this
low-cost water filtration system are worth the investment.
C. Significance of the study
This study is important to let people know that there is a cost-effective way of
conserving water. Filtering water is one of the simplest ways to utilize water. This
study will
help some people to be aware of the importance of having less viscosity in water
filtration. The
data the researchers will gather during the experiment will help other future
researchers who
will optimize the water filtration system.