Clean water, cheap

University of North Carolina scientists have developed a water filtration system that is cheap and relatively easy to manufacture.

The system is based on traditional methods of filtering water through sand, which is effective to a certain degree. However, using sand or crushed rock only leaves the water at risk for certain contaminations.

UNC researchers utilize a short section of PBC filled with sand and small amounts of ferric chloride and a pH buffer. It filters water 30 to 50 times faster than more conventional (and expensive) methods. It is also easy to manufacture and requires little training to use.

The filter works because the added chemicals force contaminants to stick to the sand, leaving clean water free to run through.