Try This Water Filtration Experiment: Learn About the Process First Hand

We often hear the words water filtration, especially when we visit water companies. When we tour these companies, we can see that the water undergoes different stages of filtration. The drinking water that we buy passes through filtered layers before it is stored in bottled containers. This principle came from how groundwater, which is considered clean and drinkable, is filtered. Here is a simple water filtration experiment to better give a clearer illustration of the water filtration process.

In a water filtration experiment, you need to have a clear plastic bottle, two cups of sand, one-half cup of dirt, two cups of gravel, a spoon, and a glass of water.

The first thing to do in the water filtration experiment is to cut about two inches from the bottom of the bottle. Let its cap remain intact in its place. Now, you have a funnel like thing out of the bottle. Turn it upside down and put the gravel in it. It is better if you pour the larger gravels first so that they cork the hole towards the cap. Then, pour the two cups of sand next. The sand will fill the gaps between the gravel. You now have the filtration layers.

The next thing to do in this water filtration experiment is to mix the dirt with the water by stirring with the use of the spoon. Now, you have dirty water. Pour this over your filtration layers. Then carefully remove the cap of the bottle as you place the bottle spout into a container that can hold the filter upright. You can see through this water filtration experiment how the dirty water will pass and seep through the sand and gravel, leaving the dirt in these layers. Check the water that is collected in the container. You will see clean water!

This is what happens with underground water. Water is naturally filtered through layers of stone, dirt, sand, and gravel. Thus, underground water is regarded as clean.

There are also domestic water purifiers or dispensers which contain sand and gravel in them.

Actually, this water filtration experiment has been adopted from the science activity of grade school students. Students enjoy this activity very much and you can too. Try using water that smells bad. You may use water from rivers, lakes, or swamps. These bodies of water are now polluted, and thus contain impurities. Of course, these bodies of water may also contain microorganisms which are harmful to human health. Thus, aside from water filtration, water is treated too. With our processed water (especially the water that we drink), water companies include another phase in their water purification system. They treat the water with disinfectants to assure that the water is free from bad microorganisms such as bacteria and protozoa. Some water treatment plants clean water with a five stage process. First is aeration which is a process of treating water with air. Second is coagulation. Third is sedimentation which allows the water suspension to settle down. Fourth is filtration, while the last process is disinfection.