Episode 48 – Super Sweet Slow Sand Filters

#CouchPotatoLab

First, you will need to download the Super Sweet Slow Sand Filters lab manual. 

When you are thirsty, you likely turn on the tap and grab a drink of water! Maybe you get water from your fridge or another device, but the clean drinking water you consume has been filtered, meaning it is free from impurities, particles, and pathogens that could make us sick!

Clean drinking water is not available for everyone, unfortunately. Many people worldwide are still drinking water that has not been filtered or they filter their water themselves. This can be dangerous as without industrial filtration, it is unclear as to whether or not we are able to fully remove impurities in the water.

Sand filters are a common, reliable method of water filtration because it filters both biological components (pathogens, bacteria, and other micro organisms) and particulate matter (dirt, debris, etcetera) that could be present in the freshwater in the world. This activity will show us how to build a sand filter!

Saskatchewan Curriculum Connections:
LS2.2: Investigate interactions between liquids and solids, and technologies based on those interactions.
DL6.5: Assess effects of micro-organisms on past and present society, and contributions of science and technology to human understanding of micro-organisms.
ES20-HP1: Investigate technologies and processes used for mitigating and managing resource use, waste generation and pollution associated with a growing human population. 
ES20-AS2: Assess the importance of maintaining healthy water for humans and the environment.