Evaluation of the efficiency of Moringa stenopetala and Opuntia Ficus Indica cladode for household water treatment
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Date
2020-12
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Background: Advanced water treatments that involve a series of steps are unthinkable in rural
areas, where a dispersed population is found. It is also extremely costly for investment in
developing countries. For this reason, we investigate the comparative performance of natural
plant coagulants in removing turbidity and microbial load as compared to alum and chlorine for
household water treatment, with the additional benefit of preventing water-borne diseases.
Objectives: The main objective of this study was to investigate the efficiency of Moringa
Stenopetala and Opuntia Ficus Indica cladodes as natural coagulants for household water
treatment
Methods: Batch coagulation and microbial reduction experiments were carried out on surface
river waters found in Jimma, Ethiopia with having initial different turbidities. The seeds of
Moringa stenopetala (Baker f.), and Opuntia ficus indica cladodes were used for this study. The
turbidity removal efficiency and microbial quality were tested using a jar test, and Membrane
filtration techniques respectively. Relevant parameters affecting the effectiveness of coagulation
(optimal dose of coagulants, pH, storage duration/conditions, temperature, and conductivity)
were also investigated.
Results: The turbidity of river water were 32.1, 78.1, 132 and 78NTU, and their optimum doses
for M.stenopetala was 20mg/l, 40mg/l, 50mg/l, 70mg/l, and for OFI cladodes were 50mg,
100mg/l.100mg/l and 0.5gr/l respectively. Their turbidity removal efficiency was found to be
from 87% to 98.99% when treated with M. Stenopetala, and from 68% to 96.01% when treated
with OFI at optimum doses in 3h settling time. About 97% of all types of microbial load
removals were observed for both M. stenopetala and OFI.
Conclusion: The findings showed that M. stenopetala plant species meet the requirements of
drinking water quality in terms of microbial standards and maximum allowable limit of turbidity
(≤5 NTU) if they are used for household water treatment, but the result of OFI was insufficient to
fall within guideline values.
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Keywords
Coagulation, Turbidity, M.stenopetala, Opuntia ficus indica, Microbial load reduction, Household water treatment