Ang, Julius Gervin

Angel, John Moises

Apolinar, Dan Kenneth
4ECE B

Implementation of Ultraviolet Lights as Water Purifier in Washing Machines

Description of the Proposed Project
This project is made to conserve our water consumption whenever we use washing machines for
laundry. Instead of using another gallons of water in rinsing the clothes, the built-in filter system
inside the washing machine will recycle the water with detergent to be used further. The built-in
filter system inside the washing machine uses carbon filtration to separate the detergent and
water when draining, and at the same time will purify the water by exposing the water to UV
radiation.
This project also promotes the awareness of everyone on the effects of detergents into freshwater
ecosystems.
Description of the Environment
Most people have their own washing machines to wash their clothes with ease. The problems are
the water consumption and the effects of detergents into our freshwater ecosystems. This project
will put into practice in every laundry shop and in our homes.
Environment impact
Detergents can have poisonous effects in all types of aquatic life if they are present in sufficient
quantities, and this includes the biodegradable detergents. All detergents destroy the external
mucus layers that protect the fish from bacteria and parasites; plus they can cause severe damage
to the gills. Most fish will die when detergent concentrations approach 15 parts per million.
Detergent concentrations as low as 5 ppm will kill fish eggs. Surfactant detergents are implicated
in decreasing the breeding ability of aquatic organisms.
Detergents also add another problem for aquatic life by lowering the surface tension of the water.
Organic chemicals such as pesticides and phenols are then much more easily absorbed by the
fish. A detergent concentration of only 2 ppm can cause fish to absorb double the amount of
chemicals they would normally absorb, although that concentration itself is not high enough to
affect fish directly.
Phosphates in detergents can lead to freshwater algal blooms that releases toxins and deplete
oxygen in waterways. When the algae decompose, they use up the oxygen available for aquatic
life.

The main contributors to the toxicity of detergents were the sodium silicate solution and the
surfactants-with the remainder of the components contributing very little to detergent toxicity.
The potential for acute aquatic toxic effects due to the release of secondary or tertiary sewage
effluents containing the breakdown products of laundry detergents may frequently be low.
However, untreated or primary treated effluents containing detergents may pose a problem.
Chronic and/or other sublethal effects that were not examined in this study may also pose a
problem.
Mitigation Measures

Closely monitor the water purifier to avoid potential contamination of the purifier.

Avoid contamination of water with chemicals that may not be purified by UV lights.

Always clean the filters in the washing machines.

Ultraviolet radiation by itself is not enough to render water completely safe for drinking
purposes.

Dispose the residues (after filtration) in a manner in which it will not affect the freshwater
ecosystem.

Socio-economic Benefits
Considering the weather we have today, the price of water consumption always increases. Not
only has that, with less rainfall, shortage of water become prevalent, leading to water-rationing in
some cases. The proposed project will help us conserve our water and also protect our freshwater
ecosystem.
The following are some general benefits of water conservation:

Energy savings by using less energy for heating, pumping, and treating water.

Financial savings, particularly if the firm is on an actual-usage meter, will result from
decreased water use.

Less wastewater resulting from reduced water usage, which cuts sewer service costs. In
some areas, wastewater utilities offer financial incentives for reduced wastewater output.

Various environmental benefits include increased water available to local streams,

wetlands, and their natural inhabitants and fewer water projects.

Positive publicity stemming from environmental protection efforts.

Alternatives
An alternative for UV lights can be xenon flash. Xenon lamps which are normally seen in camera
flashes also emit considerable amount of UV rays, although it might include the entire spectrum
of the wavelength. We can retrieve an entire flash electronic section from our cameras
alternatively make an AC operated xenon tube flasher circuit at home and then use it for the
proposed UV water purifier circuit.

After making the circuit, the lamp may be positioned such that the rays are able to traverse past
the water from one end to the other end.
The water must be clear and free from dust particles because suspended impurities will block
most of the UV rays making life easy for the germs.
Consultation and Coordination
Based on what we researched about filtration and purification of water, we were able to conduct
our own experiment by making a filtration to separate detergent and water by using a funnel and
filter paper and also by making a water purifier circuit using UV LEDs.
The government agencies that can be consulted and coordinated with our proposed projects are
the following:
1. National Water Resources Board (NWRB) for the conservation of our water.
2. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for protecting the marine
life (dugong and marine turtles) since it is under the jurisdiction of this department.
3. Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for protecting all
declared aquatic habitats and resources (except for dugongs and turtles).
References:
http://www.homemade-circuits.com/2013/08/make-this-ultra-violet-uv-water-filter.html
http://www.harvesth2o.com/uv.shtml#.Vhn-tm5s-Vc
http://www.instructables.com/id/LED-Water-Purifier/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_filtering/

http://www.watertiger.net/how-uv-works/
https://www.espwaterproducts.com/uv-water-purification/
http://www.enviroalternatives.com/watermethods.html
https://www.greenbiz.com/research/report/2002/08/02/water-conservation
http://www.waterpurifier.org/ultraviolet-water-purifiers/
http://mwwphilippines.org/2013/08/06/philippine-and-international-laws-on-marine-wildlifeprotection/
https://ph.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060928103136AAnCwSo