How to Make a Homemade Water Filter - Science Experiment

Today we are going to be learning about how wastewater is cleaned locally and we will be making a homemade experiment to help you understand the system better.

One problem locally is wastewater, now we all know how crucial water is in our everyday lives and to Earth but today I will be showing you one way to separate the dirty water which portrays all the diseases and other hazardous waste using a DIY filter.

First we need to know what our community is doing as a whole to understand this experiment so let's watch the quick video above to understand.

What is wastewater made up of?

Municipal Wastewater can contain sanitary sewage, solids, disease-causing organisms, decaying organic wastes, nutrients and other household and industrial wastes.

Some ways that Peel maintains the Wastewater Collection System includes:

• Sewage pumping stations
• The York-Peel Odour and Corrosion Control Facility
• Over 3,500 km of sanitary sewer main
• Over 52,000 maintenance holes
• Sanitary sewer laterals to the private property line for all connected properties

- 1 or 2 litre bottle (I will be using a 2 litre bottle for this experiment)

- Cotton

- Sand

- Charcoal

- Gravel/Stones

- Dirty water

- Hammer

- Knife

Cut the bottle in half then place cotton in the upper part of the bottle near it's rim.

Flip the top part of the bottle upside-down then place it in the lower half of the bottle.

Pour sand over the cotton until the sand overpowers the cotton.

Crush 2 blocks of charcoal into finely ground pieces with a hammer then add the multiple pieces of charcoal into the upper half of the bottle.

Add a handful of both gravel and pebbles.

Finally, grab your 'dirty water' and begin pouring it from the top of the filter and see cleaner water come out the other end.

The combination of gravel, pebbles, sand and charcoal all help in purifying the water.

• Gravel and pebbles filter out larger sediments
• Sand helps to filter out fine impurities
• Charcoal removes contaminants and impurities by the process of adsorption

Note: Water from the filter is still not safe enough for consumption, it is advised that you boil the water before drinking.

If you want to contribute to the Wastewater Collection System or you need help with your water or sewer, contact them at 905-791-7800 or toll-free at 905-584-2216 (Caledon or other long-distance areas).

For any questions: email Public Works.