DEVELOPMENT OF A PORTABLE FILTRATION DEVICE TO ACCESS CLEAN AND SAFE

DRINKING WATER IN REMOTE AREAS

MEMBERS:

ANGUTAS , JENEANE B.

DENLA USO ,REGIE V.

MARTO, GENEVIEVE A.

PADILLO , ALJEAN I.

VILLAMERO , ANGELICA S.

IN FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR CONCEPT PAPER

AS A GRADE12 GENERAL ACADEMIC STRAND (GAS)

SUBMITTED TO:

BINGHAY, VENY MAE

AUGUST 2025
 INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Access to clean and safe drinking water is a fundamental human right, yet millions of
people around the world—especially those in remote and rural areas—continue to face severe
challenges in obtaining it. Lack of clean water leads to significant health issues, developmental
setbacks, and diminished well-being. Contaminated water remains a primary source of disease,
particularly in developing countries, contributing to illnesses such as diarrhea, cholera, and
typhoid, which are especially deadly to children (World Health Organization [WHO], 2019).

Water scarcity and contamination are pressing global challenges. These issues are
more pronounced in remote areas, where limited infrastructure, geographic isolation, and
economic constraints hinder reliable access to potable water. In the Philippines alone,
approximately 11 million people lack access to improved water sources, with rural communities
like those in Concepcion, Valencia City facing persistent difficulties due to growing populations,
climate change impacts, and aging water infrastructure (WHO, 2019a; Velasco et al., 2020).

Current interventions for improving water quality include point-of-use (POU) treatment
systems utilizing technologies such as activated carbon filtration, reverse osmosis, and
ultraviolet (UV) disinfection (WHO, 2019b). While effective, these solutions often come with high
costs and maintenance demands, creating barriers for low-income households in remote
locations. Traditional methods such as boiling and chemical disinfection are used but may
inadequately remove all pathogens or chemical contaminants (Sabogal, 2021).

Portable water filtration devices present a promising alternative for addressing these
challenges. They are especially critical in disaster response, humanitarian relief, and remote
settings where centralized water infrastructure is lacking or unreliable. Beyond improving health
outcomes by reducing waterborne diseases, these devices also promote environmental
sustainability by diminishing reliance on plastic bottled water (UNICEF, 2021).

This study focuses on the development of an affordable, durable, and user-friendly

portable filtration device tailored for remote areas. By enhancing current filtration technologies
and addressing their limitations, the proposed device aims to provide sustainable access to
clean drinking water for under served populations. The innovation promises to improve public
health, mitigate waterborne illnesses, and support environmental preservation while
strengthening disaster preparedness and community resilience.

Through exploring design, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and usability of portable

filtration devices, this study seeks to contribute practical solutions to urgent water access
issues. Ultimately, improved filtration technology can empower remote and vulnerable
communities to safely access clean water anytime, anywhere, advancing the broader goals of
water security and sustainable development

REVIEW RELATED LITERATURE

Applications and Impact on Health in Remote community

This study focuses on the effects of drought and how households cope with water
scarcity in Kasali, Uganda. It examined drought trends from 1987 to 2017 using the
Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI) and evaluated how drought affects water availability and
the ability of households to adapt. The findings reveal that average annual rainfall has
decreased overall, with reductions in the March-April-May and January-February seasons, while
rainfall has increased during the September-December and June-August seasons.
Temperatures have risen significantly, with average maximum and minimum temperatures
increasing by 0.56 to 1.51 °C, and the minimum temperatures rising more than the maximum.
Over the 30-year period, Kasali experienced one year of extreme drought and four years of
moderate drought. More than 70% of households reported spending more time collecting water
during dry years compared to wet years. Overall, households demonstrated a low capacity to
adapt to water scarcity, and drought events have had an adverse impact on water availability
(uganda water crisis 2018).

Filtration Mechanisms and Contaminant Removal

A promising solution is membrane filtration, which can effectively reduce the oil content
in the water. However, this method has its own major challenge: fouling. Fouling is when
material builds up on the membrane’s surface, which restricts the flow and reduces the system’s
efficiency. The paper you provided examines how to deal with this problem by looking at
methods for detecting, removing, and preventing fouling. It also analyzes the models used to
describe the process. A key finding is that most current models are too simple or only work
under very specific conditions, limiting their practical use. The authors conclude that while
membrane technology works well in other industries, making it a cost-effective solution for
offshore de-oiling is still a hurdle. They suggest that using advanced fouling-based models with
real-time data could help create better control systems. This would allow for more efficient
operation and better scheduling of cleaning, ultimately making membrane filtration a more viable
and affordable option. The paper predicts that if stricter zero-discharge policies are globally
enforced, membrane technology will become a crucial part of treating produced water (Jepsen
et al. 2018).

Water purification is crucial, not just for drinking, but also because our planet’s
freshwater supply is limited. Thanks to advances in materials science and technology, new and
better purification methods have been developed over the last few decades. Of these,
membrane-based filtration is considered the most cost-effective and efficient. This paper
provides a comprehensive comparison of four main types of membrane filtration: reverse
osmosis (RO), ultrafiltration, microfiltration, and activated carbon filters (ACF). The analysis
looks at how each technique works, how it has evolved through research, and its real-world
applications. While reverse osmosis (RO) is the oldest and most established of these methods,
the paper highlights activated carbon filters (ACF) as the most promising new technique. ACF
stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness, making it a strong contender in the field of water
purification (Hirunpraditkoon et al. 2015).

This review aims to highlight and evaluate the extent of research activity and emerging
trends in ultrafiltration (UF) membrane applications and processes over the past decade (2009-
2018). Analysis of publication data indicates a steady resurgence of interest in UF technology
year after year. Among more than 120 contributing journals, Journal of Membrane Science and
Desalination and Water Treatment were the leading publishers, producing 854 and 683 papers,
respectively. According to statistics from the Science (Al Aani et al. 2020).

This passage describes the creation and testing of a mixed matrix membrane (MMM)
composed of polysulfone (PSF) and hydrous ferric oxide nanoparticles (HFO NPs) for the
removal of lead (Pb) from water. The membrane’s properties were analyzed using various
techniques, and its effectiveness in removing lead was evaluated under different conditions. The
results show that the membrane had a high adsorption capacity for lead and produced high-
quality permeate water (Ismail and Matsuura 2016).

Statement of the problem

 This study will access to clean and safe drinking water remains a significant challenge
in many remote areas worldwide. The absence of reliable water filtration system increases the
risks of waterborne diseases and reduces the quality of life for affected communities.

Specifically, this study aims to answer the following research questions:

1. What is the level of effectiveness of the filtration device in providing clean and
drinking water in remote areas?

2. What is the level of effectiveness of the filtration device in improving water

cleanliness by reducing visible dirt and suspended particles in drinking water for
communities in remote areas?

3. How does the filtration device enhance the visual appearance of water, making it
clearer and more appealing for people living in remote communities?
 Objective of the study

This study will access to clean and safe drinking water remains a significant
challenge in many remote areas around the world. The lack of reliable water filtration systems
contributes to health risks and limits the quality of life for affected communities

Specifically it aimed to:

1. Determine the effectiveness of the portable filtration device in providing clean and
safe drinking water in remote areas.

a. Ability to remove contaminants

b. Ability to maintain affordability for target communities.

2. Examine the capacity of the portable filtration device to remove harmful microbes
and ensure safe drinking water.

3. Assess the effectiveness of the portable filtration device in improving water clarity
and removing visible dirt and suspended particles.
 Methodology

This study will utilize a developmental-experimental research design, conducted in two

phases: (1) prototype development and laboratory testing, and (2) pilot field testing in selected
remote communities.

Research Instrument

This study will employ both technical measuring devices and social research tools to
evaluate the performance and acceptability of the portable filtration device. The technical
instruments include a portable turbidity meter, which will determine water clarity in
Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU); a total dissolved solids (TDS) and conductivity meter to
assess the concentration of dissolved substances in milligrams per liter (mg/L); and a pH meter
to measure the acidity or alkalinity of the samples. A membrane filtration apparatus equipped
with selective media (such as mTEC or m-ColiBlue24) will be used to quantify total coliform and
Escherichia coli colonies, expressed in colony-forming units per 100 mL (CFU/100 mL). A
stopwatch and a graduated container will also be utilized to determine flow rate and filtration
capacity. For the social evaluation, a structured questionnaire with Likert-scale items will gather
data on perceived water quality, taste, odor, ease of use, and willingness to adopt the device. An
interview guide will facilitate semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, while a
maintenance log sheet will track operational details such as cleaning frequency, filter
replacement, and any issues encountered. All technical equipment will be calibrated before use,
and survey tools will undergo pilot testing to ensure both reliability and validity.
 Research Participants

The participants of this study will be residents from two to three purposively selected
remote Barangay of Mahayahay, Conception, Kariis, identified based on their limited access to
treated water and dependence on unprotected sources such as rivers, shallow wells, or
rainwater catchments. Each community will involve approximately 15–20 households, resulting
in an overall sample size of around 30–60 households for the field-testing phase. To be
included, participants must be permanent residents of the area, primarily use untreated water
for drinking, and be willing to engage in the testing and evaluation process. Surveys and
interviews will be directed to the head of the household or an adult representative. Barangay
officials and local health workers will also serve as key informants to provide contextual insights
into water access challenges, public health concerns, and sustainability considerations. Prior to
participation, all respondents will be informed of the study’s objectives and procedures, and their
consent will be obtained. Participation will be entirely voluntary, and all data collected will remain
confidential.
 Timeline

The following timeline outlines the scheduled activities of the study, showing their
corresponding time frames from July to August 2025. It details the key phases of the research,
from planning and device development to testing, analysis, and final submission.

July 1- July July July July July August Augus August August
5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-31 1-5 t 6-10 11-20 21-30
Finalization
of research ████
plan & RRL █

Prototype ███
design █
Assembly of
portable ████
filtration █
device
Laboratory ████
testing █
Prototype ████
refinement █

Secondroun ████
of lab testing █
& validation
Pilot field ████ ███
testing █
Data ████
analysis █

Preparation ████
of results █
Finalization ████
& █
submission

REFECENCES
Al Aani, S., Bonny, T., Johnson, D. J., & Hilal, N. (2020).Aziz, S., Mazhar, A. R., Ubaid, A., Shah,
S. M. H., Riaz, Y., Talha, T., & Jung, D. W. (2024). A comprehensive review of
membrane-based water filtration techniques. Applied Water Science, 14(8), 169.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-024-02046-9

Hirunpraditkoon, S., Kiyoyama, S., & Tanaka, K. (2015). Comparative study of membrane
filtration techniques for water purification. Desalination, 355, 1–9.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2014.10.034

Ismail, A. F., & Matsuura, T. (2016). Membrane technology for water and wastewater treatment.
CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/b19124

Jepsen, K. L., Bram, M. V., Pedersen, S., & Yang, Z. (2018). Membrane fouling for produced
water treatment: A review study from a process control perspective. Water, 10(7), 847.
https://doi.org/10.3390/w10070847

Lopez, M., & Cruz, R. (2019). Alternative filtration media in drinking water treatment: A
performance review. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 32, 100–107.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2019.100915

Sabogal, L. (2021). Point-of-use water treatment in low-income households: Effectiveness and

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Uganda water crisis. (2018). Drought trends and household coping strategies in Kasali, Uganda.
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sheets/detail/drinking-water

World Health Organization. (2019b). Water sanitation hygiene. WHO.

https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_hygiene

World Health Organization. (2019). Global analysis and assessment of sanitation and drinking-
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