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Engineering for Humanitarian Needs: Solution to the Puerto Rican Water Crisis Fleek Water Akash Rattan, Shaquille Chandra, Juan Gonzalez, Jasmin Taylor Ohlone Community College November 17, 2017 Executive Summary The product proposed for the assignment of Engineering for Humanitarian Needs is designed to purify toxins in the drinking water of Puerto Rico. Though Puerto Rico’s issue with poor water quality regulations has been spotlighted in recent years by the EPA, the urgency of the clean water issue has been pressed following the recent natural disasters that have left the people of Puerto Rico in need for an immediate solution. As stated in the 2016 Environmental Protection Agency fact sheet for Puerto Rican water impairment, contaminants in the tap water include things such as low dissolved oxygen, turbidity, cyanide, pathogens, copper, lead, and abnormal pH, making drinking from taps extremely hazardous. Despite the market for water

filters expanding, most products contain materials not available in the locality, forcing imports and additional expenses to deliver the product. Fleek Water puts to action the researched benefits of biomaterials and plants that are readily available through Puerto Rican agriculture. Using cilantro, ceramic, and carbon as primary filters, the model is designed to rid Puerto Rico’s tap water from turbidity and heavy metals whilst maintaining a safe pH level. Tests conducted on the prototype supported the research and reflected intended results in regards to tangible qualities of water purity (Figure 1). However, data collected showed that the model works best for the first eight uses (Figure 2); the performance lifespan could be extended as a future modification. With attention to the window of appropriate pricing and available materials, the Fleek Water filtration system presents a cost- effective, environmentally conscious solution to the water crisis in Puerto Rico. Problem Identification In addition to the known issue of poor water quality regulation in Puerto Rico, the recent natural disasters of Hurricane Irma and Maria made clear the lack of access to clean, drinkable water. Puerto Rican tap water is heavily contaminated with elements of metal, among other harmful substances. While there is a variety of water purification products available on the market, the high cost makes such items inaccessible to the average Puerto Rican household with a median income of $19,518, ( Average Household Income for Puerto Rican Families ). The assignment called for an environmentally conscious design with a budget of 100 USD, however, for our product to be consumed by the target market, the final cost would have to be as low as

possible. With this in mind, the objective of our design became to provide the people of Puerto Rico with drinkable water through an user centric water filtration system, that is, in addition, financially accessible. Design Specification Ceramic Dome - Weight 9.6 ounces. Product Dimensions 5 x 5 x 5 inches Pvc Coupling - Weight 12 ounces. 6.1 x 2.3 x 1.9 inches Plastic container - Weight 1LB. Dimensions- 6.6 x 9.3 x 14 in Activated Carbon - ½ ounce Cilantro - 2 pieces Wood - three 12x7 inch pieces Silicon Sealant Charcoal screen mesh - 1 foot Rubber Ring - 1½ inch diameter Concept For the idea, we developed a water filtration system that is activated passively. By placing a ceramic dome inside of a deep enough bowl, we allow the ceramic to be submerged in the water for a long enough time to pass through the ceramic dome. The ceramic dome acts as an initial filter, eliminating any tangible contaminants too large to pass through the ceramic. The water then trickles down through the dome and into a chamber containing activated carbon and cilantro. These two elements act as cleansers and and bio-absorbent to filter the water more.

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Once the water passes through those materials, it then drips through the cheese-cloth and is then collectable. (Figure 1) Design Work Due to the lack of available resources in Puerto Rico, the design had to be minimal while still remaining effective. We harnessed the filtering possibilities of three elements; ceramic, carbon, and cilantro. These materials are decently cost effective and readily available to the population. We used a plastic bowl and drilled a half inch diameter circle in the bottom. After that we attached a ceramic dome to the hole. After the water is poured into the bowl and soaked up by the dome, it passes through the hole in the plastic bowl. Attached to the underneath of the bowl and dome is a vertical sitting 1 and ½ inch diameter PVC pipe that contains 2 cups of activated carbon and 2 pieces of cilantro. This pvc pipe is modified with 2 inch wide charcoal

aluminum screens and pieces of cheese-cloth on each end to hold the elements inside of the pvc pipe. The water passes through the cilantro and carbon and then travels out of the other side of the pvc pipe. The base of the project keeps the water at an elevated point, so the water can then pass through the hole carved in the base, and be collected in a cup or bucket. The goal of this design was to help eliminate the presence of contaminants in the water such as lead, turbidity, and tangible contaminants. Ceramic has been proven to purify water acting as a very narrow passage filtering out larger pollutants. Cilantro is a proven heavy metal absorber, and a very cost effective material. Carbon acts a water cleanser due to its attractive properties. (Figure 3,4,5) Design Assessment Test Results Turbidity Lead Hardness pH Tap Water Moderate Present High 6.5 Rust Water Moderate Present High 6.5

FIltered Less Less/ None Less 8.0 (Figure 2) Our assessment of the fleek water design is based on water output, results, and efficiency. We found that our design does help create clean water but at a slow rate, about 8 0z per 5 minutes. This limitation is due to the fact that our design has limited stability, and also due to the fact that we are using granulated carbon, thus the water pressure cannot be too high else the carbon will not treat the water effectively. We also would like to use charcoal activated screening for more of the design and also to have a more stable base. We found that the filtration of the water is effective and also the water passage is very natural in the design. The cartridges of carbon are very easy to clean and reuse. In the future we would like to have a foldable base and also waterproof base. We also envision using a carbon block to help produce more water output in less time. In the future we would like to remove more toxins and provide even cleaner water. This product should be pursued and researched because it has potential impact on the people of Puerto Rico. The ability to remove toxins from the water is a very necessary need which is in a lack of, especially in that part of the world. Let us all work together to bring cleaner water to those in need.

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The report has been read and agreed by all for submission: Shaquille Chandra, Akashdeep Rattan, Jasmine Taylor, Juan Gonzalez. References:

Ceramic Filtration. “Safe Water System.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 21 Mar. 2012, www.cdc.gov/safewater/ceramic-filtration.html. Alexandra, Sifferlin. “Cilantro: More Than An Herb, It Can Purify Water Too.” Time , Time, 12 Sept. 2013, healthland.time.com/2013/09/12/cilantro-more-than-an-herb-it-can-purify-water-too/. Desilva, Frank. “Activated Carbon Filtration.” Activated Carbon Filtration , www.watertreatmentguide.com/activated_carbon_filtration.htm. Di, and BarnS. “Homewerks Worldwide 1 in. PVC Compression Coupling-511-43-1-1H.” The Home Depot , 2 Mar. 2017, https://www.homedepot.com/p/Homewerks-Worldwide-1-in-PVC-Compression- Coupling-511-43-1-1H/206667870. Bureau, US Census. “Income in Puerto Rico Holds Steady After Recession.” The United States Census Bureau , 30 Jan. 2014, www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2014/cb14-17.html. D. Sutter, John. “ About 1 million American without running water. 3 million without power.This is Life one month after Hurricane Maria” Friday, October 20th 2017, http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/18/health/puerto-rico-one-month-without-water/index.html Rafuse, Jack. “Is Puerto Rico the next Flint?”

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