Home water treatment by direct filtration with natural coagulant

Abstract

Seeds of the plant species Strychnos potatorum and Moringa oleifera contain natural polyelectrolytes which can be used as coagulants to clarify turbid waters. In laboratory tests, direct filtration of a turbid surface water (turbidity 15–25 NTU, heterotrophic bacteria 280–500 cfu ml−1, and fecal coliforms 280–500 MPN 100 ml−1), with seeds of S. potatorum or M. oleifera as coagulant, produced a substantial improvement in its aesthetic and microbiological quality (turbidity 0.3–1.5 NTU, heterotrophic bacteria 5–20 cfu ml−1, and fecal coliforms 5–10 MPN 100 ml−1). The method appears suitable for home water treatment in rural areas of developing countries. These natural coagulants produce a ‘low risk’ water; however, additional disinfection or boiling should be practised during localised outbreaks/epidemics of enteric infections.