Characterization of Physicochemical Parameters for Tap Water and Removal of Hardness Using Moringa Stenopetala seed as Natural Absorbent The Case of Mekelle Town, Tigray Ethiopia
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2007-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The physicochemical examination of tap water used for domestic purposes in Mekelle town was
carried out to ascertain their suitability for consumption. Water softening experiments were also
conducted to observe the changes in total hardness, with varying dosages of a natural coagulant.
The natural coagulant was extracted from Moringa stenopetala seed
A total of twenty (20) water samples were collected from various parts of the town tap water
used for domestic purposes and characterized for their physicochemical parameters, arising
public interest. The physicochemical implications render Mekelle’s tap water unfit for human
consumption, though it can be used for other purposes.
Tap water samples containing high concentration of hardness from Mekelle town, Enda Mariam
and Enda Giyorgis areas were used for hardness removal mechanism part of this study. The
optimum hardness removal efficiency for Mekelle tap water sample produced from ground water
source was approximately 58 % (from initial total hardness of 523.25 to final hardness result of
220.3 which is within Ethiopian and WHO standard, i.e. below 300 mg/l as CaCO3) which was
attained at M.Stenopetala dosage of 200 mg/l. The optimum hardness removal efficiency for
synthetic hard water analysis done by taking two factors, coagulant dose concentration and PH as
independent factors was approximately 49 % (from 500 to 256.6 mg/l as CaCO3) which was
attained at M.Stenopetala dosage of 200 mg/l and 6.5 PH value. The mechanism for hardness
removal in hard water seems to be precipitation of insoluble products of the reaction between
M.Stenopetala extract and the hardness causing ions. Even at a relatively higher dosage of the
M.Stenopetala coagulant compared to the chemical softening, natural coagulant is preferred for
economic use, health and environmental safety.
Key words: Water Hardness, coagulant protein, Moringa Stenopetala, physicochemical
parameters, Tap water
Description
Keywords
Water Hardness, Coagulant protein, Moringa Stenopetala, Physicochemical parameters, Tap water