The Effectiveness Of Moringa Oleifera Coagulant In The Treatment Of Drinking Water

ABSTRACT

This research study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of Moringa oleifera coagulant in the

treatment of safer, cleaner, adequate and cheaper drinking water for all Ugandans. Water

samples from Lake Victoria and hand dug wells both found in Ggaba were treated using Mo

ringa oleifera and Alum coagulant in different sets according to ISO 9308 1-1 and Association

of Official Analytical Chemist (AOAC) jar test procedures. Then pH, turbidity, conductivity

and total coliform levels of water samples before and after treatment with 5Omg/L, 75mg/L

and 1 OOmg/L of Moringa coagulant in the first set were measured and compared with thattreated

using 5Omg!L, 75mg/L and 1 OOmgIL of alum coagulants in the second set. Control

experiments (water without both coagulants) were included in the first set and their water pa

rameters were also determined. Efficient turbidity reduction was observed at 75mg/L concen

trations of Moringa for lake and well water from an initial value of 126. 12NTU to 3.65NTU

and 98.84NTU to 3.45NTU respectively. Alum concentration of lOOmgIL reduced turbidity

to 1 .92NTU for Lake Victoria water and 2.83NTU for well water samples. Conductivity

gradually increased for both coagulants with increasing concentrations but ranged within the

WHO standards for the drinking water. Moringa concentrations did not influence pH of wa

ter. The pH values were observed to range between 7.61 to 7.06 for lake water and 6.88 to

6.58 for well water, however, alum concentrations reduced pH drastically. Bacterial removal

of 76.47% and 86.67% was observed for 75mgIL of Moringa oleifera concentration for lake

and well water samples respectively whereas alum coagulant of 75mg/L concentration rec

orded 52.94% and 66.67% bacterial removal for lake and well water samples Findings from

this study indicate that Moringa oleifera coagulant at optimum dosage of 75mg/L can be a potentially viable substitute to alum as a coagulant in the treatment of the drinking water.