2019 | Argentina | Valentin Ignacio Maiolo, Ariana Terenzi,

FLOCUNAT: NATURAL FLOCCULANT

Water issue adressed: Too dirty
FLOCUNAT

A method for family households is employed to obtain drinking water from river water by treating it with seeds of
Moringaoleifera lam. The seeds will eliminate the river water turbidity. Subsequent heat or chemical disinfection
is needed. The number of seeds used is adjusted to the water turbidity by a self-designed dispenser. In the tests
carried out, after its application, the results obtained were found within the limits indicated for drinking water.

This is how I came up with the idea for this project:

The project arose from the problem of lack of access to drinking water for many in the world. We started an investigation to find a technique that allows these people to obtain drinking water. In it we find the potential of the seeds of the moringa oleifera tree.

DOCUMENTATION

FLOCUNAT: NATURAL FLOCCULANT Flocunat is a product of natural origin, friendly with the environment and allows the water clarification. When used with the disinfection method introduced, the water obtained is within the parameters of potability indicated by the Argentine Food Code. Each family will be provided with a dispenser that allows adjusting the amount of product to the water turbidity It has been designed for used in households in areas with access to river water and lack of drinking water. The seeds of the Moringaoleifera lam tree are used and conditioned with the proposed technique. They are produced in our country in the town of Siete Palmas in the Department of Pilcomayo in the province of Formosa. The analyses carried out by INTA CASTELAR1 on the seeds used indicate that they possess approximately twice as many proteins according to different bibliographic sources consulted. This characteristic ensures a greater yield in the use of seeds because the proteins present in the embryo are those that produce coagulation and flocculation in natural water sources. According to a study on the tree’s adaptation to our country and its planting for seed production, the harvest of seeds from one hectare of trees would produce the necessary raw material to supply 20 liters of drinking water per day to 1250 people. Ecotoxicity tests were carried out following the protocol3, with the advice of the Environmental Sciences expert Brian Young, specialist in Ecotoxicity at INTA CASTELAR. The use of seeds in the removal of arsenic in groundwater and surface water is currently being evaluated.

CONTACT WATERTANK

Ania Andersch

Programme manager ania.andersch@siwi.org +46 8 121 360 59