Water Filtration Lab

Can you purify dirty water with a water filtration system? Learn about filtration and make your own water filter at home or in the classroom.  All you need are a few simple supplies and some dirty water you can mix up yourself to get started. We love fun, hands-on STEM projects for kids!

HOW TO FILTER WATER

Our local water departments use many different methods to give us safe drinking water, and filtration is just one of them.  Filtration systems use many different layers or filters, such as charcoal, sand, fibers, even plants.

Water filtration is the process of removing or reducing the particles, bacteria, algae, viruses, and other contaminants to produce safe and clean water.

SUPPLIES

– Water bottle – Scissors – Coffee filters – Rubber band – Cotton balls

STEP 1 Cut the bottom off of your water bottle.

STEP 2 Mix a cup of dirt with a cup of water, stir and let sit for 5 minutes.

STEP 3 Crumple up one coffee filter and stuff into the top of your water bottle.

STEP 4 Now place 6 cotton balls on top of that.

STEP 5 Pour a cup of rice into the bottle.