Turbidity Removal Performance of Selected Natural Coagulants for Water Treatment in Colombian Rural Areas

Abstract

Despite the recognized efficiency of natural coagulants, their widespread adoption in the water treatment industry remains low. Our study evaluates the effectiveness of three natural coagulants—Moringa Oleifera, Yausa (Abutilon Insigne Planch), and Breadfruit (Artocarpus Altilis)—in reducing water turbidity levels of 40–50 NTU. Among these, two are native plant species potentially applicable in rural Colombian areas, where there are evident disparities in water infrastructure. This research contributes to the development of these coagulants, exploring their integration with existing water treatment methods, determining their optimal concentrations, and efficiencies in turbidity removal. Our findings reveal significant turbidity removal efficiencies: 88.9% for Moringa Oleifera, 83.3% for Yausa, and 67.2% for Breadfruit. These results indicate the feasibility of these agents as sustainable replacements for traditional chemical coagulants, exhibiting a level of effectiveness alike to that observed in Moringa Oleifera. However, challenges in practical implementation and sustainability, covering technical, environmental, economic, and social aspects, are notable obstacles. The aim of this study is to not only demonstrate the effectiveness of these natural coagulants but also to encourage their broader acceptance and integration into sustainable water treatment practices incorporating two unstudied plant species, such as Yausa and Breadfruit, furthering research to overcome existing challenges.