Turbidity removal from surface water using Tamarindus indica crude pulp extract

Abstract

Plant-based coagulants are potential alternatives to chemical coagulants used in drinking water treatment. This paper examined the turbidity removal efficiency of Tamarindus indica fruit crude pulp extract (CPE) towards evaluating a low-cost option for drinking-water treatment. Laboratory analysis was carried out on high turbidity raw water samples (i.e. 478 NTU) using T. indica CPE of concentrations ranging from 500 to 3000 mg/L as natural coagulant, using jar tests. Results obtained showed turbidity removal efficiency of the coagulant ranging from 64 to 99%. An optimum dose of 3000 mg/L resulted in highest turbidity removal efficiency of 99%. However, the treated water samples were observed to be of high acidity with pH values lower than 3.0, suggesting the need for pH adjustment. Nevertheless, this study demonstrated the potentials of T. indica CPE in coagulating high turbidity surface water. Keywords: Coagulation; crude pulp extract, pH, turbidity removal, T. indica INTRODUCTION Conventional water treatment systems involve the use of synthetic chemicals. Such chemicals are mostly