This study investigated and tested the capability of removing micropollutants such as dirt, heavy metals, ionic compounds, and harmful microorganisms from surface water and groundwater by utilizing home-made filtering system. The home-made water filtering system adopted low cost adsorbents such as biosorbents, pebble, sand, soil, and activated charcoal materials which are readily obtainable in the rural communities of sub-Saharan African villages. The water filtering system showed effective water treatment capability by filtering suspended particles, reducing/eliminating odor and clearing obvious impurities contained in the surface water and groundwater samples taken from raw natural states which is close to greywater that can be encountered in the rural communities of underdeveloped countries. The descriptions of the adsorption properties and mode of action of these adsorbents are presented in order to explain the pollutants selectivity displayed by these adsorbents. The sorption behavior of the adsorbents with various micropollutants was summarized, their relative performances are evaluated and a separation process flow diagram for removing micropollutants from surface water and groundwater was proposed for sustainable supply of drinkable water to the rural villages in underdeveloped countries by installing and operating the water filtering system.

Removal of micropollutants from surface water and groundwater by portable water filtering system designed for rural communities in underdeveloped countries

249th National Meeting (2015)

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