WATER TURBIDITY REMOVAL EFFICIENCY OF COMBINATION METHODS BETWEEN CHEMICAL COAGULATION AND SIMPLE FILTRATION

Abstract

The rural community always face the problem of the imbalance rainfall water volume. Moreover, it faces the problem of drought and the problem about accessing the water too. This problem should be considered especially the turbidity of water that in not suitable for use in the household. The preliminary investigation found that water supply for community had brown color, natural (pH 7.77) and high turbidity level (499.33 NTU). The objective for study methods of turbidity removal from water supply by comparing which methods had the most effective way that suitable for removing turbidity and pH. The result showed the combination method between the flocculation (1% alum, 25 mg/L) and simple filtration (through the charcoal filter layer gravel and coarse sand) is the most water turbidity removal efficiency in 99.12% (turbidity 4.42 NTU) and this method can adjust the pH level (pH 7.42) that in suitable for use in the household. The alum floc method can reduce the turbidity in the water better than combination and simple filtration methods, respectively. This result showed that the chemical agents and using the filter can eliminate the turbidity in the water but we should consider the pH for water safety for consumers.  Moreover, it suggests that the consumer should clean the water through disinfection before using it for consumption in the household.