Montana de Luz Service Learning Project

Water Quality Team

Final Presentation

April 18th, 2012

Pre-Trip PlanDeliverables

Replace inefficient existing POU filter system with new system specifically addressing Arsenic and Sediment

Perform arsenic field testing and biological testing on different samples of water and document

Collect samples of filtered and unfiltered water for lab testing

Other Goals

Side project of surveying new area and documenting with AutoCad

Investigate potential for long term solution

Assist other teams with any other side projects

Block Diagram (New System) and System Specifics

Water Source& Pump

Chlorination Storage

Distribution Crystal Quest POU in-line Filter• Main functions: Removes

sediment, Removes arsenic

• Flow: 2-3 GPM• Pressure Range: 30-60 psi • Filter media life :• Arsenic~ 6 months• Sediment~ 6 months or

when flow slows

Filtered Cold

Water Supply

Unfiltered ColdWater Supply

Unfiltered Hot Water Supply

Crystal Quest Filter Installation

Monday

Examined installation area, took measurements, worked through spacing issues

Installed new faucet fixture for filtered cold water line

Mounted Crystal Quest filter housing beneath sink using level, masonry drill bit and masonry screws

Connected faucet to filter output. Began working on PVC piping additions and connections

Plumbing Work

For all PVC sections: Cut using saw and clamp being

sure to make a straight cut Sanded and removed burs

For all threaded fittings: Teflon taped and tightening using

hand-tightening as well as wrench tightening

For all slip fittings: Mark max depth of fit Primed all surfaces using PVC

primer, allow to dry 30 seconds Cement all surfaces Quickly insert PVC into slip fit

using a 90o turning motion

Crystal Quest Filter Installation

Tuesday Morning

Finished priming and cementing all possible pipe sections and connections before turning water off

Turned off water supply at 9:15 A.M.

Removed and recycled existing valve

Cemented last connection after tightening it onto cold water wall outlet

Turned on water supply and checked for leaks (Water off for approx. 45 min total)

Tuesday Afternoon

Remedied leaks

Performed arsenic field testing on filtered water

Attached signage

Created a filter maintenance schedule

Installation Photos: New Faucet Fixture

Installation Photos: Filter Housing Mount & Plumbing Close-Up

Cold Water Outlet

Filter OutputValve Filtered Cold Water

Line

Installation Photos: Completed System

Sediment Filter Housing

Arsenic Filter Housing

Water Flowing at 1.25 GPM!

Filter Sustainability Signage (In English & Spanish):

Signs placed above sink denoting the use of each (drinking and non-drinking)

Signs placed below sink denoting which filter housing hold which type of filter

Filter Maintenance Instructions placed adjacent to the sink describing filter

maintenance instructions for both cleansing the sediment filter and installing new filter media

Training session with Saul allowed him to physically perform maintenance procedures Removing filter housings Cleansing sediment filter Installing new filters Performing arsenic testing (Left him with testing kit)

Left maintenance schedules with staff for each filter denoting dates at which each should be checked/tested (Sent digital copy as well)

Biological TestingDetermined the effectiveness of the water

chlorination treatment

Concentrated water onto a filter

Used a cotton swab to resuspend the cultures

Lawn streaked with cotton swab onto LB agar plate

Incubated in the dark at rt for ~2 days

Unknown microbe cultures grown aerobically in the dark at room temperature on LB media

  Number of Colonies

Volume of Filtered Water (mL)

Pre-chlorination >222 750

Post-Chlorination 36 1000

Post-Filtration & Chlorination

7 1000

Cotton Swab Only (negative control)

0 0

Pre-Filtration

Post-Filtration/Control

Biological Testing Conclusions

Great amount of microbes pre-chlorination

Number of colonies were reduced with chlorination

Post-filtration and post-chlorination water still showed contamination

Sediment may be hindering the chlorine’s penetrance

Removal of the sediment should decrease the amount of contamination

If not, more chlorine may need to be added

A Future Sediment FilterThe biological tests showed that there is still sediment

present in the post-filtrated water.

The sediment filter cartridges need to be replaced often

A large scale sediment filter with a backwash valve should be installed

The backwash valve would reduce the number of times the cartridge had to be replaced

The large filter should remove large to semi fine sediment while the filter under the sink should remove the very fine sediment

Filter LocationThe filter should be placed outside between the

distribution pump shed and the water tower

There is a PVC pipe that connects the water storage tanks and the distribution pump

The filter could be installed in line with this

Filter Location

Arsenic Field TestingHow it works: a

mixture of chemicals react with the water sample to form a gas, this changes the color on test strip to indicate amount of arsenic present

Unfiltered, about 70 ppb

Filtered, about 10 ppb

Arsenic Laboratory TestingDone by: Advanced Analytical Laboratories1025

Concord Avenue Columbus, OH 43212(614) 299-9922

Unfiltered: 23.1 ug/L

Filtered: 25.0 ug/L

Other metals tested for: Ag (ND), Ba (39 ug/L), Cd (ND), Cr (ND), Pb (3.28 ug/L), Hg (ND), Se (ND)

Methods used: Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectroscopy

What the results mean?Field test kit tested for

inorganic arsenic and the laboratory tested for total arsenic, both inorganic and organic arsenic

Inorganic is more toxic then organic arsenic

The World Health Organization recommends a level of 1 to 10 ug/L of inorganic arsenic; so not quite to drinking water standards

Future RecommendationsFind a laboratory that tests for inorganic and

organic arsenic separately

Keep up on maintenance by doing the field test while in country and make sure the filter does not need to be replaced

Conclusions: What We Achieved

We successfully installed a functional point of use water filtration system which drastically reduces arsenic and sediment concentration, has a high flow rate, functions when the power is off, and is more cost effective than their previous filter

We provided them with training, supplies and documentation to maintain the filter

Gained valuable knowledge about the water quality to pass on to future groups

We assisted with the maintenance of the Tilapia Pond, shade netting in the garden, and the Biodigester

Conclusions continued:What We Learned & Future Goals

Positively influencing MdL makes our project feel like a great success

An extremely high concentration of sediment is present in the waterCould be the source of many problems within water

distribution system & quality

Our solution is making a positive impact but a longer-term solution removing all the sediment would make a long-lasting change to their water quality

Experienced working in a team, approaching real-life engineering challenges, deadlines, and adapting to unique situations

Acknowledgements…

Thank You Dr. Merrill, Dr. Greene, Carlos Montoya, Brad Doudican, Dr. Walker, Saul, Ruth

DeYoe, Crystal Quest, and MdL Directors and Staff!