A Cost-Effective Filter Made from Accessible Materials to Reduce Contaminant Levels in Tulare County’s Water

Overview

Tulare County, a rural region in California, relies on groundwater contaminated with inorganic compounds and heavy metals. Low-income residents lack access to advanced filtration systems. This study tested a cost-efficient, multi-stage filtration system made from household materials to determine whether it could reduce levels of inorganic contaminants in tap water. The water-bottle filter consisted of cotton cloths, Valencia orange peels, paper towels, and coffee filters. Peels were treated with diluted acetic acid (vinegar) and sodium chloride (table salt) before and after oven-drying to expose more binding sites. Orange peel carboxyl groups enabled adsorption and ion exchange. Water samples were collected from a home in Tulare County, tested using a 16-in-1 water quality strip kit, and visually assessed for clarity. This process was performed in triplicate. Filtration reduced several contaminants, including nitrates and copper (-100%), and iron (-67%). Lead decreased by 67%, but not to safe levels, while sulfate (~200 mg/L) and pH (~6.2) remained unaffected. Results should be interpreted cautiously, as the colorimetric strip test provides semi-quantitative measurements. Sodium chloride and acetic acid treatments may have reduced ion-exchange and adsorption efficiency in the orange peels, reducing the filter’s efficacy. The filtration system improved water quality by reducing some inorganic contaminants, but did not remove lead, sulfate, or pH to safe levels. Clear water can still contain contaminants, emphasizing the need for quantitative testing. Low-cost household filtration methods have the potential to reduce health risks in vulnerable rural communities, highlighting the need for water quality education.

Competition history

• CSEF 2026 Earth & Environmental Sciences(Senior Division) · Entry S-08-03

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