Introduction

One of the most critical problem in the world is security in water, many people drink water that

they do not know if it is clean or not (Loudenback, 2018). Water is able to dissolve more

substances than any other liquid on earth. It is the reason we have Kool-Aid and brilliant blue

waterfalls. It’s also why water is so easily polluted. Toxic substances from farms, towns, and

factories readily dissolve into and mix with it, causing water pollution (Denchak, 2018). Water is

essential for human; it comprises around 60% of the weight of human and it losses through

various metabolic and excretory processes must be balanced by an adequate intake. Water may

contain contaminants which can affect health and quality of life. Water intended for human

consumption must be free from organisms and form concentrations of chemical substances that

may be hazard to health (Siong, 2013). The water we drink daily must be free from a pollution.

There are two types of drinking waters including pure water and safe water (Mazar, 2013). Pure

water may be defined as water that is free of extraneous substances whether harmless or not

however, in a practical standpoint, pure water is hard to produce, even by the current

sophisticated equipments (Atabaki, 2013). Safe water may contain some contaminants but

these contaminants will not cause any risks or health effects on human (Idris, 2013). The

shortage of clean and drinking water can result in water drought. All the living creatures need

water for their survival (Bartley, 2016).

Activated carbon is commonly used in water treatment to remove water contaminants from tap

water and well water. Activated carbon is used in home water filtering system due to its

excellent adsorption capacity (Siong, 2013). Activated carbons have varied surface
characteristics and pore sizes distribution,these characteristic of activated carbon play an

important role in adsorption of contaminants in water (Idris, 2013). Activated carbon can

remove the total suspended solids (TSS) and the biological oxygen demand (BOD) effectively

over 99%, to 1 mg/l and also improve the tastes and odors of the drinking water. This is the

reason for the use of activated carbon as major filter medium in most of the home water

filtration system. The ability of activated carbons to absorb various contaminants from drinking

water is recognized (Jeremiah, 2013). Coconut-based agricultural wastes have gained wide

attention as effective biosorbents due to low-cost and significant adsorption potential for the

removal of various aquatic pollutants. The various parts of coconut tree such as coir, shell, pith

etc. have been extensively studied as biosorbents for the removal of diverse type of pollutants

from water. For several years activated carbon has gained wide application in the treatment of

waste water (Ratnoji, 2014). Due to their high carbon content and hardness, coconut shells are

an excellent raw material source to produce activated carbon (Shilpa, 2014). Activated carbons

produced from coconut shells typically have a tighter, more microporous pore structure than

their coal-based counterparts. This is due to the inherent pore structure of the raw material

coconut shell as compared to raw material coals. This microporosity lends itself towards certain

applications where activated carbon is used (Singh, 2014). The major advantage with the

coconut shell activated carbon is that it is an outstanding material for applications requiring

taste, odor and dissolved organic chemical removal from water with suspended particle present

(Basha, 2015). Activated carbons that are produced using coconut shells as the raw material are

often sourced in geographic regions where coconuts are harvested, including India, Malaysia, Sri
Lanka, and the Philippines. Coconut shell-based carbons tend to be harder, more resistant to

abrasion, and lower in ash than similar grades of coal-based carbons. (Nimisha, 2014).

Statement of the problem

Generally, the study aims to tap the potential of Activated carbon from coconut shells as water

filter.

Specifically, it will find answer on the following

1. Is there a significant effect of using activated carbon from coconut shells as water filter?

Objectives

Generally, the study aims to make a water filter that use activated carbon from coconut shells.

1. Determine the effectiveness of activated carbon from coconut shells as water filter.

Hypothesis

There is no significant effect on using activated carbon from coconut shells as water

filter.

Significance of the study

The results of the study will be of great benefit to the following:

FUTURE RESEARCHERS- the ideas presented may be used as reference data in conducting

new researches about lack of water supply or in testing the validity of other related findings.

COMMUNITY- The information presented can be used by people in their problem in water.

GOVERNMENT- the outcome of this study will facilitate them to formulate plans that can help

people who needs security in water.

Scope and Limitation

In this study, experimentation process deals on using activated carbon from coconut shells as

water filter. Activated carbon from coconut shells is the material that will be used in the study.

The effectiveness of the activated carbon from coconut shells will be determined. This study will

be conducted from the year 2019 to 2020.

Definition of Terms

Activated carbon- is a form of carbon processed to have small, low-volume pores that increase

the surface area available for adsorption or chemical reactions. Activated carbon is used in

methane and hydrogen storage, air purification, decaffeination, gold purification, metal

extraction, water purification, medicine, sewage treatment, air filters in gas masks and

respirators, filters in compressed air, teeth whitening, and many other applications.
Coconut shells- it is a large hard-shelled oval nut with a fibrous husk containing thick white meat

surrounding a central cavity filled (when fresh) with fluid or milk. Tall palm tree bearing

coconuts as fruits; widely planted throughout the tropics.

Heavy metals- are generally defined as metals with relatively high densities, atomic weights, or

atomic numbers. The criteria used, and whether metalloids are included, vary depending on the

author and context.

Water filter- it's removes impurities by lowering contamination of water using a fine physical

barrier, a chemical process, or a biological process. Filters cleanse water to different extents for

purposes such as providing agricultural irrigation, accessible drinking water, public and private

aquariums, and the safe use of ponds and swimming pools.

Water Security- Water security has been defined as "the reliable availability of an acceptable

quantity and quality of water for health, livelihoods and production, coupled with an acceptable

level of water-related risks". It is realised to the degree that water scarcity is non-existent, or has

been decreased or eliminated, and to the degree that floods and contamination of freshwater

supplies are non-threatening. Water security is achieved when there is enough water for everyone

in a region and the water supply is not at risk of disappearing.