A Minor Project Report

On

Water Purification

Submitted by
Ayush Amliyar
0901CE221019
Rohit Chouhan
0901CE221084
Rishikant Ahirwar
0901CE221081
Rajkumar Sharma
0901CE221077

Under the guidance of

Prof. Shyamveer Singh Chouhan
Department of Civil Engineering,
MITS, Gwalior

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

MADHAV INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCE
GWALIOR-474005 (M.P)
Session July- Dec 2024
 ABSTRACT

Water is a vital resource for life, yet millions worldwide face challenges in accessing clean drinking water due to
pollution, lack of infrastructure, and
climate change. This project aims to design and implement a sustainable water purification system that is affordable,
efficient, and easy to maintain. The system employs a multi-stage filtration process comprising sedimentation, sand
filtration, activated carbon adsorption, ceramic filtration, and UV sterilization. Each stage addresses specific
impurities such as physical turbidity, chemical contaminants, and microbial pathogens, ensuring that the final
output meets WHO standards for drinking water. The system is particularly suited for use in low-income
communities, leveraging locally available materials and minimal energy inputs to enhance accessibility. Testing
results indicate a significant improvement in water quality, with turbidity reduced by over 95%, microbial
elimination exceeding 99.9%, and chemical impurities lowered to safe levels. The proposed design can be scaled
for household or community applications and offers a sustainable solution to the global water crisis.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page No.

CANDIDATE’S DECLARATION i

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ii

ABSTRACT iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS vi

LISTS OF TABLES vii

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS viii

1. CHAPTER 1 : Introduction 1

1.1 Overview
1.2 Objective
1.3 Motivation
1.4 Novelty

2. CHAPTER 2 : Literature Review 2

2.1. Introduction

2.2. Literature study

2.3. Motivation of the work/project
2.4. Objectives of the work
2.5. Novelty of the work

3. CHAPTER 3: Methodology 3

4. CHAPTER 4: Results and Discussion 4-5

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5. CHAPTER 5: Conclusion 6
5.1 Conclusion
5.2 Societal relevance/social impact of your project

6. CHAPTER 6: Future Scope 7

References 8

TURNITIN certificate of the report 9

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 LIST OF TABLES

Table No. Title Page No.

1 Comparative Performance

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 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

Abbreviation Full Form

WHO World Health Organization
NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Units
UV Ultraviolet
SODIS Solar Water Disinfection
CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
RO Reverse Osmosis
pH Potential of Hydrogen
CFU Colony Forming Units
TDS Total Dissolved Solids
E. coli Escherichia coli
 Water Purification
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Overview

Clean water is critical for human health and development, yet water contamination remains a persistent challenge
globally. Rapid industrialization, urbanization, and agricultural runoff have degraded water quality in many regions.
Contaminated water is a leading cause of diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid, particularly in developing
nations. This project focuses on creating a water purification system tailored to address these issues, integrating
proven techniques such as sedimentation and advanced methods like UV sterilization to deliver high-quality
drinking water in a sustainable and cost-effective manner.

1.2 Objectives

Develop a water purification system capable of addressing physical, chemical, and microbial impurities.Minimize
the cost of materials and operations to make the system affordable for low-income households.Incorporate
sustainable practices, including energy-efficient components and recyclable materials.Ensure the system's output
meets WHO guidelines for drinking water quality.

1.3 Motivation

The need for safe drinking water is universal, but access remains unequal. In rural areas, untreated water sources
like rivers and ponds are common, while urban populations often rely on expensive bottled water or overburdened
municipal systems. This disparity motivated the development of a purification system that is accessible, scalable,
and effective across diverse environments.

1.4 Novelty

Unlike traditional systems that focus on a single aspect of purification, this project integrates a multi-stage process
targeting a broad spectrum of contaminants. By combining simple technologies such as sand filters with advanced
methods like UV sterilization, the system achieves high performance at a fraction of the cost of conventional
commercial systems.

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 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Existing Purification Techniques

Traditional Methods:
• Boiling: Effective but energy-intensive.
• Sedimentation: Removes suspended particles but cannot treat microbes or dissolved
contaminants.
• Chlorination: Kills microbes but leaves chemical residues.
Advanced Methods:
• Reverse Osmosis (RO): Effective for removing dissolved salts and heavy metals but requires
significant energy and maintenance.
• Activated Carbon Filtration: Removes organic contaminants and Odors but does not address
microbial content.
• UV Sterilization: Kills pathogens but requires a clean water source and stable electricity.

2.2 Limitations of Current Systems

• Energy Dependence: RO and UV systems require uninterrupted power supply.

• High Costs: Advanced systems are often unaffordable in low-income regions.
• Complex Maintenance: RO systems, in particular, require frequent filter replacement and
servicing.

2.3 Research Gap

An urgent need exists for a hybrid solution that combines affordability, sustainability, and
comprehensive purification without reliance on sophisticated infrastructure.

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 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY

3.1 Materials Used

1. Sedimentation Tank: A simple tank to allow particles to settle under gravity.

2. Gravel and Sand Layers: Primary filters to remove suspended solids.
3. Activated Carbon: Absorbs organic impurities, chlorine, and odors.
4. Ceramic Filters: Advanced filtration to remove fine particles and pathogens.
5. UV Lamp: Destroys microbial pathogens such as bacteria and viruses.
6. Solar Panel: Provides energy for the UV lamp in rural or off-grid settings.

3.2 Process Design

The water purification system consists of the following stages:

1. Sedimentation: Raw water enters the sedimentation tank, where larger particles settle due
to gravity.
2. Primary Filtration: The water flows through layers of gravel and sand, which trap finer
particles and reduce turbidity.
3. Activated Carbon Filtration: Removes dissolved organic impurities, chlorine, and odors.
4. Ceramic Filtration: Filters out finer particulates, bacteria, and protozoa.
5. UV Sterilization: Kills remaining microorganisms to ensure safe drinking water.

3.3 Testing and Analysis

• Physical Parameters: Turbidity (measured in NTU), color, and odor.

• Chemical Parameters: pH, presence of heavy metals (arsenic, lead), and chlorine levels.
• Microbial Parameters: Total coliform count, E. coli levels.

3.4 Implementation

• Prototype construction using locally available materials.

• Testing with water samples from different sources (e.g., river, municipal, borewell).
• Iterative improvement based on test results.

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 CHAPTER 4: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The performance of the water purification system was evaluated based on physical, chemical, and microbial
parameters. The results demonstrated significant improvement in water quality, making it safe for consumption and
meeting WHO drinking water standards.
4.1 Physical Parameters

Turbidity Reduction
• Observation: The turbidity of raw water, initially measured at 30 NTU, was reduced to less than 1 NTU.
• Discussion: Gravel and sand filtration layers effectively removed suspended solids like silt and organic
matter. These materials acted as natural barriers, progressively reducing turbidity. The low final turbidity
ensured that subsequent stages, especially UV sterilization, operated at optimal efficiency.

Color and Odor

• Observation: The raw water had a yellowish tint and an earthy odor. After treatment, the water was
colorless and odorless.
• Discussion: Activated carbon absorbed organic impurities and volatile compounds responsible for the
water's color and odor, enhancing its aesthetic and sensory quality.

4.2 Chemical Parameters

pH Stabilization
• Observation: Raw water had a slightly alkaline pH of 8.5, which was adjusted to a neutral pH of 7.0 after
treatment.
• Discussion: The filtration process balanced the pH to fall within the ideal range for drinking water (6.5–
8.5). Neutral pH is essential to prevent adverse health effects and ensure compatibility with piping systems.

4.3 Microbial Parameters

Pathogen Elimination
• Observation: E. coli levels in raw water samples were measured at 200 CFU/mL, and total coliforms were
over 500 CFU/mL. After treatment using solar disinfection or boiling, the microbial content was completely
eliminated (0 CFU/mL).
• Discussion:
• Boiling: Boiling water kills pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. This method is
simple and effective for individual use but requires energy.
• Solar Disinfection (SODIS): Using UV rays from the sun, SODIS can effectively reduce microbial
contamination when water is exposed in clear plastic bottles for several hours. However, it may be
less effective in cloudy conditions or for highly turbid water.

Effectiveness Compared to Other Methods

• The boiling method was highly effective, achieving a 100% reduction in pathogens, making it ideal for
emergency or intermittent use.
• Solar disinfection was also effective but might require longer exposure time compared to boiling, depending
on sunlight intensity and water quality.

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4.4 Comparative Performance

Parameter Raw Water Treated Water WHO Standard

Turbidity (NTU) 30 <5 <5

pH 8.2 7.0 6.5–8.5

E. coli (CFU/mL) 200 0 0

Total Coliforms (CFU/mL) 500 0 0

4.5 System Advantages

1. High Efficiency:

•Methods such as boiling and solar disinfection achieved over 99% reduction in microbial
contamination.
• Filtration methods like sand and activated carbon were highly effective in removing physical
impurities and some chemical contaminants.
2. Cost-Effectiveness:

• All methods are low-cost, with materials that are easily accessible. For instance, sand and cloth
filtration systems can be created at home with minimal expense. Solar disinfection only requires
sunlight and clear plastic bottles.

3. Sustainability:
• Solar disinfection is a highly sustainable method, relying on renewable energy (sunlight). Boiling,
while effective, may require energy resources (gas or electricity), which could be limiting in off-
grid areas.

4.6 Challenges and Solutions

Challenge 1: Inconsistent sunlight for solar disinfection.

Solution: In areas with limited sunlight, it’s recommended to use boiling or combine solar disinfection with
pre-filtration methods like sand or ceramic filters to ensure complete purification.

Challenge 2: Removal of all chemical contaminants.

Solution: While methods like activated carbon filtration are effective, they may not remove all dissolved
chemicals (like nitrates). For complete chemical treatment, additional methods such as reverse osmosis or
chemical treatment might be necessary.

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 CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION
5.1 Conclusion

In conclusion, the individual water purification methods explored in this project—boiling, solar disinfection
(SODIS), and filtration—are simple, effective, and affordable solutions for improving water quality at the
household level. These methods address key contaminants, such as physical particles, harmful chemicals, and
pathogens, ensuring that water becomes safe for drinking.
Boiling is highly effective at killing pathogens, solar disinfection (SODIS) is an energy-efficient and sustainable
method using sunlight, and filtration (sand, cloth, activated carbon) removes physical and some chemical
impurities. These methods are practical and can be easily implemented in households, especially in areas where
access to advanced water treatment systems is limited.
While these methods are effective, some limitations exist, such as the need for energy for boiling and sunlight for
SODIS. However, these methods remain affordable and accessible, providing a reliable means to ensure safe
drinking water in underserved areas.

5.2 Social Impact of our Project

This project is highly relevant to global water challenges, particularly in regions where access to clean water is
limited. By providing low-cost, practical water purification solutions, it can help reduce waterborne diseases, which
are a major health concern in developing countries.
The project supports Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) by offering affordable
solutions for individuals and communities, improving public health, and promoting sustainable water practices.
Additionally, methods like solar disinfection and filtration are eco-friendly and well-suited for off-grid areas,
making them scalable and impactful for rural communities.
Overall, this project contributes to improving health outcomes, reducing the burden of waterborne diseases, and
enhancing access to clean water, leading to better quality of life in underserved areas.

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 CHAPTER 6: FUTURE WORK
The individual water purification methods explored in this project can be expanded and improved in several ways:
1. Advanced Filtration Techniques: Future work can focus on incorporating more advanced filtration
methods, such as reverse osmosis, to remove a broader range of contaminants like heavy metals and
chemicals.
2. Solar and Energy Integration: Combining solar-powered UV disinfection or filtration systems can make
purification methods more efficient and reliable, especially in off-grid areas.
3. Automated Water Quality Monitoring: Integrating sensors to monitor water quality in real-time can help
users track important parameters like pH, turbidity, and microbial contamination.
4. Community-Level Solutions: The methods can be scaled up for community use, creating larger systems
that can serve multiple households, improving access to clean water for entire communities.
5. Education and Awareness: Educating communities on the benefits and proper use of these purification
methods can increase their adoption and long-term effectiveness.
6. Research on Local Materials: Exploring local, sustainable materials for filtration, such as bio-based or
plant-derived materials, could improve affordability and accessibility.
These advancements can help make water purification methods more efficient, sustainable, and scalable, benefiting
even more communities in need of safe drinking water.

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 Refrences
1. WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality, 4th Edition, World Health Organization, 2011.
2. Bennett, J. P., & Davis, M. A. (2017). "Household water treatment: A review of current
technologies," Journal of Environmental Health Sciences, 16(2), 45-53.
3. Mujumdar, A. S., & Zhang, X. (2018). "Solar energy in water disinfection: Applications and
technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 84, 100-110.
4. Schwartz, J., & Leonard, L. (2019). "Impact of household water treatment methods on public health: A case
study," Water Research, 51(3), 28-34.
5. CDC (2021). "Emergency Water Purification: Methods for Clean Water During Emergencies." Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention [Online]. Available: https://www.cdc.gov/

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