Zeemays and Solar Disinfection as Natural Resources to Clarify Turbid Waters

摘要

This paper reports on an investigation into the potential of indigenous or natural water treatment methods as alternative to conventional chemical water treatment methods. The seeds of Zeemays (Maize) natural plant species was evaluated for the removal of turbidity and their efficiency were compared with that of alum. The use of a solar energy-saving method to disinfect drinking water was evaluated. The study revealed that coagulation of raw water with turbidity of 20, 40, 80 NTU, with seed extract from natural plant species, reduced natural turbidity in summer season by 86, 80 and 80 percent respectively and in rainy season by 84, 77.5 and 78 percent respectively, when the seed extract was used as the primary coagulant. Leaving samples of water clarified by natural coagulants on a black-painted roof exposed for 1 hour achieved up to 100 percent bacteria kill in summer season where as in rainy season exposing for 3 hours achieved up to 100 percent.