ASSESSMENT OF DRINKING WATER PURIFICATION METHODS AND MATERIALS

The presence of pathogenic bacteria in drinking water has adverse effects on the human health, and a very common problem in less industrialized countries and some rural areas in developed countries. Millions of people die every year from drinking water pathogen-related diseases. The present study investigates the use of crushed corn and cotton to filter or disinfect bacteria from drinking water. The study also investigates the temperatures at which SODIS is effective in disinfecting bacteria in contaminated water. Eschericha coli solution in a saline solution and DI water were used in the study. Bacteria were quantified using IDEXX and Coliert 18. The results from this study showed that corn was very effective in filtering bacteria even when compared to sand, a commonly used water filter. Cotton balls did not perform well at all. Under SODIS, most of the Eschericha coli was disinfected just after three hours, while all the bacteria was disinfected after four hours of exposure to natural sunlight.