Simple Accessible Water Filter: DIY

Simple Accessible Water Filter

      I wanted to solve a problem that would both benefit humans and the environment, so I addressed the issue of polluted and unsafe drinking water. I know that many people in the world don’t have access to clean drinking water or a good water filter. My goal was to design an easy, inexpensive, functional product that can turn dirty water into safe drinking water so that it could be remade and reused on a global scale. But first, as you always have to do, I started small.

      I started by researching what makes a good water filter. What I found was surprising to me. I didn’t realize how easy and inexpensive this would be. Most of the resources that I used to build this, I didn’t even need to buy, (it only cost about $10-15, but I had extras of all the materials, so it could be made three or four times for the same price) and it is all contained in a small plastic water bottle. Here’s how the initial design was supposed to work. Firstly, it goes through gravel, which takes out larger things, such as leaves or insects. Then the sand gets rid of smaller particles, like dirt or algae. The activated charcoal gets rid of very fine particles and chemicals through chemical absorption. Finally, the cotton balls at the bottom strain out the residue left by the other things. So I started with that design.

   
      There were more than a few problems with my first design. First of all, it didn’t work. Dirty water going in only got dirtier as it came out. Also, the top had been cut off to put the stuff in, but if it tipped over, everything would easily spill out. And lastly, the water going in started to flood it and move things around. So I went back to the drawing board. I decided it was probably the charcoal that got the water dirtier, so I added more cotton balls at the end, but they started falling out. To fix that problem, I put the cap back onto the water bottle with a tiny hole so the water could drip out. Then, I put a coffee filter at the top, just for a bit of extra straining. Finally, to address the issue of things falling out, and the issue of flooding, I poked a small hole in a yogurt cup and attached it to the top. That meant there was something to block things from falling out, and it had a constant, slower inflow into the filter so it wouldn’t get overwhelmed.

      I tested it again by mixing dirt with water and pouring it into the filter, and it surprised me. After about 20 seconds of waiting, a constant drip of clean water came out of the bottom. It looked clean enough, so I decided to have a sip. It tasted a bit earthy, but pretty fresh and good. I think if it keeps being revised and getting better, it can be made to make water clean enough to drink safely. If you do this, keep experimenting, and try to get this project to completely work!