“THE USE OF CARBONIZED RICE HULL AND EGGSHELL AS ADSORBENT FOR

BACTERIA (Coliform) IN CONTAMINATED WELL WATER”

A Research Paper Presented to the

Faculty of Senior High School Department

DR. CECILIO PUTONG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Tagbilaran City

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the academic track

SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS

Auxtero, Kathlyn Shayne C.

Yecyec, Mary Grace B.

May, 2023
 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The researchers would like to express their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to

the following people who helped us and guided us in making our study.

To the researchers’ parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gican, Mr. and Mrs. Auxtero, Mr. and

Mrs. Yecyec, and Mr. and Mrs. Lincona for supporting and financing the researchers

during the process of this study.

To our beloved family who always gives us strength and encouragement.

To our research adviser, Engr. Roxanne Marie L. Lomotos, for the patience,

knowledge, and support she offered us in answering our questions regarding the format

and information in our study.

The researchers would like to thank Mr. Tasb Bulanghoy, the seller of carbonized

rice hulls. For explaining to us, the nutrients, how the hull is carbonized, and the

benefits of it as adsorbent, before buying.

For Auxtero’s family for letting us study and do the experiment in their place.

We also thank the multi-cab, jeepney, tricycle, and habal2x drivers for

driving/taking us home and to the places we went safely during our research journey.

And lastly, we thank ourselves as a group for cooperating, helping, and

understanding each other, for listening to the individual's opinion, and for doing the best

we can do in this research.

We appreciate and thank the efforts of all people who were involved in this

research!

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 Abstract

In the last few decades, well water has been very useful and important in the

country, especially in rural areas. The presence of bacteria in well water is common.

This may be especially dangerous for certain high-risk populations, such as small

children, pregnant women, the elderly, or people with compromised immune systems.

Coliform bacteria are rod-shaped microorganisms that occur in the intestinal tracts of

animals, including humans, and that are widespread in the environment. Then indicate

the presence of other pathogenic organisms of the same origin, like viruses, protozoa,

and many multicellular parasites. In the Philippines, many rural homes use well water.

This study relies on using two waste products, carbonized rice hulls and eggshells, for it

allows the recycling of natural byproducts and produces a healthier water supply

through the application of organic waste. The high porosity of the carbonized rice hull

provides the possibility of the material being an effective adsorbent. Similarly, the high

amount of calcium carbonate in eggshells, which has already been used in the

treatment of soil and water, makes it a potential addition as an adsorbent material. This

study will use a recycled 250-ml mineral water bottle as one of the tools to create the

adsorption process. Three (3) sets of adsorbent mixtures will be investigated with the

following characteristics: set a: 100g CRH and 75g eggshells; set b: 75g CRH and 100g

eggshells; set c: 100g CRH and 100g eggshells. This study gives insights into the

possible advantages of carbonized rice hulls and eggshells as adsorbents for

contaminated well water.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

ABSTRACT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

CHAPTER I: THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

INTRODUCTION

Rationale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Review of Related Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Conceptual/Theoretical Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Operational Definition of Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

THE PROBLEM

Statement of the Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Statement of Hypothesis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Significance of the Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Scope and Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

The Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

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 The Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Production Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Data Collection Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Data Processing Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

CHAPTER II: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Presentation, analysis and interpretation of data………………………………….23

CHAPTER III: SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION

Summary……………………………………………………………………………….27

Findings………………………………………………………………………………..27

Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………28

Recommendations……………………………………………………………………29

APPENDICES…………………………………………………………………………………32

REFERENCES.………………………………………………………………………………37

CURRICULUM VITAE………………………………………………………………………39

LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

1 The amount of coliform count of the Set-ups A, B and C before and after the

treatment ……………………………………………………………………………………23

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.

2 Paired sample t-Test on the Contamination Levels of the treatment …………23

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Page

1 Conceptual Framework of the Research……………………………………………13

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CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

INTRODUCTION

Rationale of the Study

Well water has been very useful and important in the country, especially in rural
areas. This well water can be contaminated (EPA, 2023). According to a report by Nur
Khairiyah in the Wateroam Foundation, It is hard to own and have tap water in some
rural areas in the Philippines. Most of them only depends on pump water and well water
(Nur Khairiyah, 2020).

The occurrence of bacteria in well water is common. The ideal situation is to

have no bacteria, although most bacteria in water wells are harmless and pose little
health risk (Nur Khairiyah, 2020).

Contaminants can enter the environment through natural sources. When

contaminants enter groundwater they can influence the quality and safety of the water
and impact human health. Some contaminants in well water, like bacteria and nitrates,
can cause short-term illnesses (such as stomach problems, diarrhea, nausea). This
may be especially dangerous for certain high-risk populations such as small children,
pregnant women, elderly, or people with a compromised immune system (EPA, 2023).

Well water is used for various needs. However, plenty of well water has been
polluted by Escherichia coli bacteria which is suspected to be due to the disposal of
rubbish and waste carelessly. The use of agricultural waste for water purification can be
a sustainable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly option that helps address water scarcity
while also repurposing waste that would otherwise be disposed of (MDPI, 2022).
Therefore it is important to do water purification using agricultural waste that is not
utilized.

Absorption is a process of purifying water which relies mainly on the adsorbent,

to adsorb the impurities in the water (Danamark, 2022). This study relies on using two

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waste products as adsorbent for well water, eggshells and CRH. Also, it will promote
efficient use of resources for it allows recycling of natural byproducts and produces
healthier water supply through application of organic wastes.

Carbonized Rice Hull (CRH) is made from incomplete or partial burning of rice
hulls. According to analysis in the Zeinab Babazad’s (2021), CRH it is a very good
adsorbent as it contains a highly porous material and provides a large surface area
where contaminants are adsorbent (Zeinab Babazad, 2021).

Eggshells, on the other hand, is also a very good adsorbent as it contains a high
amount of calcium carbonate, which makes them an ideal adsorbent material for the
treatment of soils and water (Lee et al., 2022). In accordance to the study done by
Maribel S. Tizo et al. (2018), the porous structure of eggshells provides a large surface
area for adsorption, which makes them effective in removing contaminants from water
and soils. Additionally, the high calcium carbonate content in eggshells makes them
effective at neutralizing acidic compounds, which are often found in contaminated water
and soil (Maribel S. Tizo et al., 2018).

Coliform bacteria are any of various rod-shaped microorganisms that occur in the
intestinal tracts of animals, including humans, and that are widespread in the
environment. Coliform bacteria serve as critical indicators of water quality. More
precisely, they are evidence of recent fecal contamination of water supplies (Britannica,
2022).

Coliform bacteria are Gram-negative bacteria, which can ferment lactose. They
are commonly found in nature and in feces of warm-blooded animals. This class of
bacteria is used to determine fecal contamination of water, not because they are
dangerous (although some are), but because they indicate the presence of other
pathogenic organisms of the same origin (like viruses, protozoa and many multicellular
parasites) (João Cabral, 2010).

In the Philippines, 15% of private wells have been contaminated by E. Coli, and
up to 58% of groundwater sampled as contaminated with coliform and needs treatment,

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And approximately 31% of illnesses are monitored for a five-year period (Greenpeace,
2007).

Moreover, in the Philippines, well waters are not used generally by all citizens.
Most of the locals are used to using tap water. Unfortunately, in rural homes, tap waters
are not commonly used wherein many places in rural homes use well water as their
source (WHO, 2019). For instance, in the province of Bohol many 'bukid' places, places
like Talibon, Ubay, specifically Pilar, depend on wells as source of water. But due to
some parts, cracked, broken, or in old wells, bacterias in well waters occur.

The purpose of this study is to give insight into the possible advantages of
Carbonized Rice Hull (CRH) and Eggshells as bacteria adsorbent for well water. In the
experimental set-up, the product will be compared to the commercial well water cleaner
and according to affectivity. Also, this study aims to help well owners who rely on
keeping their water wells bacteria-free.

Review of Related Literature

In 1897, the American Public Health Association (APHA) adopted standard

procedures for the coliform test, and in 1909 these procedures were published in the
first edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (Wolfe,
1972).

Coliform bacteria are found in soil, surface water, plants, and the intestines of
warm-blooded animals and people. one type of coliform bacteria called Escherichia coli
(E. coli) is a sign that fecal waste is in the water (Health.Gov, 2014).

Contaminated well water are filled with bacteria, one of its bacteria is coliform
bacteria, Escherichia Coli, also known as E. coli (Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), 2020). In the present study, experiments were conducted to
investigate the feasibility of using carbon derived from rice husk for the decontamination
of water containing Escherichia coli (E. coli). The effects of silver impregnation on these

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agro-waste carbons were also investigated. all the carbons showed >99% removal of e
coli. among the four carbons studied, rice husk based carbon (rhc) showed better
removal than the other carbons investigated (Carmalin et al., 2013)

In the Philippines, well waters are popular in rural areas. One of the sources of
this study is the contaminated well water from Manga, Tagbilaran where one well water
is said to be contaminated. The contaminated well water is located in Purok 5 Pandan
Street, Manga District, Tagbilaran City and is owned but unmaintained by the well
owner. The water well is measured less than 3 meters (10 ft) with the range from 700 to
900 feet deep.

Other studies have been using Carbonized Rice Hulls and eggshells separately.
But in this study, Carbonized Rice Hulls and eggshell will be used collectively. Different
bacteria species respond differently, it requires a balanced amount of the adsorption
tools and time. Carbonized Rice Hull contains highly porous material that provides a
large surface area, and eggshells contain high amounts of calcium carbonate, which
makes them an ideal adsorbent material for the treatment of soils and water (Lee et al.,
2022).

Carbonized rice hull and eggshells are both known to be effective adsorbents for
various contaminants in water, including bacteria such as coliform. The use of these
materials as adsorbents has been extensively in recent years due to their low cost,
availability, and eco-friendliness (PubMed, 2013).

Carbonized rice hull is obtained by heating rice hulls, which are the outermost
layer of rice grains, in the absence of oxygen. This process results in the formation of a
porous carbon material that has a high surface area and excellent adsorption
properties. The surface of carbonized rice hulls contains numerous functional groups
that attract and adsorb contaminants from water (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing
Institute (MDPI), 2018).

The use of carbonized rice hull and eggshells as adsorbents for contaminated
well water has been studied and applied in various regions around the world. In the

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Philippines, researchers from the University of the Philippines-Los Baños conducted a
study in 2012 to test the effectiveness of carbonized rice hull and eggshells as
adsorbents for bacteria coliform in contaminated well water. They found that the
adsorbents were effective in reducing the bacteria concentration in the water (Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO), 2018).

The use of carbonized rice hulls and eggshells as adsorbents for water treatment
has a long history dating back to ancient times. In traditional water treatment methods,
charcoal was often used as a filtration medium to remove impurities from water.
Charcoal has a high surface area and porosity, making it an effective adsorbent
(Ahiduzzaman, M., & Sadrul Islam, A. K., 2016).

In recent years, researchers have explored the use of rice hulls and eggshells as
low-cost adsorbents for water treatment. Rice hulls are a byproduct of the rice milling
industry and are composed of a highly porous structure containing mainly lignocellulose.
Eggshells, on the other hand, are primarily composed of calcium carbonate (Masruck
Alam et al.,2020).

A study by Algami (2022), shows that carbonized rice hulls and eggshells are
effective at removing contaminants from water, including bacteria such as coliform. The
high surface area and porosity of these materials provide ample surface area for
adsorption, while their natural composition can also contribute to the removal of other
contaminants such as heavy metals, (ScienceDirect, 2022).

A study by Ahmed, et al. (2021) states the use of carbonized rice hulls and
eggshells as adsorbents for water treatment is particularly relevant in developing
countries where access to safe drinking water is limited. These materials are abundant
and readily available, making them a low-cost and sustainable option for water
treatment.

Overall, the use of carbonized rice hulls and eggshells as adsorbents for well
water treatment has a long history and continues to be a promising area of research for
providing safe and affordable adsorbent.

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Legal Basis

“The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004” (Republic act no. 9275) Aims to protect the
country’s water bodies from pollution from land-based sources (industries and
commercial establishments, agriculture and community/household activities). it provides
for a comprehensive and integrated strategy to prevent and minimize pollution through a
multi-sectoral and participatory approach involving all the stakeholders.

This act shall apply to water quality management in all water bodies: provided, that it
shall primarily apply to the abatement and control of pollution from land based sources:
provided, further, that the water quality standards and regulations and the civil liability
and penal provisions under this act shall be enforced irrespective of sources of
pollution.

“DENR ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 34” Section no. 69 and 69, chapter III - The
quality shall be maintained in a safe and satisfactory condition according to their best
usages.

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Conceptual Framework

Figure 1.1. Conceptual Framework

Figure 1 shows the conceptual framework with all the dependent and independent
variables. It shows the relationships among the variables and how they relate to the
study. And a representation of the relationship expected to see between each variable.

Operational Definition of Terms

For a better understanding of this study, the following are defined in the context of this
research.

Rice hull. Possesses a good property of adsorption pollutants and it can be easily
obtained from the abundant produce of rice all around the world. This experiment used

13
carbonized rice hull (CRH) as adsorbent, aiming to purify oil polluted sea water and
explore optimal adsorption conditions and effects. (Natural Fibre Reinforced Vinyl Ester
and Vinyl Polymer, (Composites, 2018).

Eggshells. is the outer covering of a hard-shelled egg and of some forms of eggs with
soft outer coats, (Benenati G, et. al, 2009).

Coliform. Fecal coliform bacteria are a subgroup of total coliform bacteria. The
presence of these bacteria indicates that your well water is contaminated with feces or
sewage, and it has the potential to cause disease, (Water Quality Monitoring and
Management, 2019).

Adsorbent. Is a solid substance used to collect solute molecules from a liquid or gas,
(Merriam-Webster, 2022).

Well water. Is untreated groundwater stored in aquifers (underground layers of porous

rock), (Driscoll, 1986).

Water treatment. The act or process of making water more potable or useful, as by
purifying, clarifying, softening, or deodorizing it, (The Interaction of Food Industry and
Environment, 2020).

Statement of the Problem

Wells are abundant sources of water, however, well water can contain bacteria,

contaminants that are not fit for safe consumption. The main objective of this study is to

innovate or create adsorbent sources from waste materials that are being discharged by

industries for the purpose of the treatment of well water. Two of these wastes are rice hulls

and eggshells.

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 This study introduces a product that can be made into sorbent materials that are

used in bacteria as a replacement for currently expensive methods of heavy removal from

solutions.

In this study, combining the two waste products that have the ability to adsorb

bacteria will be discussed, and the following specifications will be answered:

1. What is the condition of the water well which will be an acceptable subject that gives the

needed samples to conduct the study in terms of the necessary requirements:

1.1 Location of the well water

1.2 Presence of the water contaminants: bacteria (coliform)

2. Is there a significant difference in the 3 mixtures?

2.1 100g CRH and 75g eggshell

2.2 75g CRH and 100g eggshell

2.3 100g CRH and 100g eggshell

3. What is the quality of the the 200mL of well water in 3 different set-ups before and

after it will be treated of the following:

3.1 100g CRH and 75g eggshell

3.2 75g CRH and 100g eggshell

3.3 100g CRH and 100g eggshell

4. What are the results before and after treatment in 3 different set-ups in terms of total

Coliform?

5. What are the influences encountered by using Carbonized Rice Hull and Eggshell?

6. What benefits in our community could be developed by conducting this study?

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7. Based on the findings of the study, should carbonized rice hulls and eggshells be

used as an adsorbent and alternative solution to cleaner water wells?

Statement/s of Hypothesis

1. Is there a significant difference in the 3 mixtures?

1.1. 100g CRH and 100g eggshell

1.2. 100g CRH and 75g eggshell

1.3. 75g CRH and 100g eggshell

H0: There is no significant difference in the 3 mixture.

H1: There is a significant difference in the 3 mixture.

2. What is the quality of the 200mL of well water in 3 different set-ups before and after it

will be treated of the following:

2.1. 100g CRH and 100g eggshell

2.2. 100g CRH and 75g eggshell

2.3. 75g CRH and 100g eggshell

H0: The quality of the 200mL of well water in 3 different set-ups before and after it will be

treated did not reach the expected treatment to be obtained.

H1: The quality of the 200mL of well water in 3 different set-ups before and after it will be

treated will reach the expected treatment to be obtained.

3. What are the results before and after treatment in 3 different set-ups in terms of total

Coliform?

H0: There were no results before and after the treatment and did not succeed.

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H1: There were effects and results before and after the treatment and succeed the

removal of bacteria from the contaminated water.

4. What are the influences encountered by using Carbonized Rice Hull and Eggshell?

H0: There were no influences encountered by using carbonized rice hull and eggshell.

H1: There are influences encountered by using carbonized rice hull and eggshell.

5. What benefits in our community that could be developed in conducting this study?

H0: There were no benefits in our community that could be developed in conducting this

study.

H1: There were benefits in our community that could be developed in conducting this

study.

6. Based on the findings of the study, should carbonized rice hull and eggshell be used

as an adsorbent and alternative solution to cleaner water wells?

H0: Based on the findings of the study, carbonized rice hull and eggshell should not be

used as an adsorbent and alternative solution to cleaner water wells.

H1: Based on the findings of the study, carbonized rice hull and eggshell should be used

as an adsorbent and alternative solution to cleaner water wells.

Statement of Significance

This research is of great significance in the field of agricultural science and biology
because this study will provide information on how a waste product can be beneficial in
removing microbiology such as coliform (a bacteria) in contaminated well water.
Moreover, this will help certain groups, organizations and individuals such as:

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Rural communities. This study will be beneficial in every home to conserve and lessen
their water bills especially when there is no source of water at the meantime. It would
make individuals be independent in having their source of clean well water.

STEM students. This study could be a handful to these particular students for future
reference and could be studied again for improvement of the said research. They could
use the study as their research topic.

Future Researchers. This study could be a reference for future research or thesis
closely related to the CRH and eggshell as treatment of well water contaminants
(bacteria). They can extend the scope of the present investigation to formulate a more
generalized conclusion.

Scope and Limitations

This study was conducted at Totolan, Dauis, Bohol in the year 2022-2023. This study is
limited to using carbonized rice hulls and eggshells as adsorbents for contaminated well
water.

A total of three (3) trials of contaminated well water will be used. The samples will be
collected shortly before being tested. The samples will be divided into set-ups. Set-up A
will be 100g CRH and 75g eggshell, set-up B will be 75g CRH and 100g eggshell, and
set-up C will be 100g CRH and 100g eggshell.

METHODOLOGY

Research Design

To meet the aim and objective of the study, this research study used an experimental
research design that involved statistical treatments and comparison of data. The study

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handled samples from one source of water well in Manga District, Tagbilaran City. There
were three different set-ups with three trials in this experiment.

· 100g CRH and 100g Eggshells

· 100g CRH and 75g Eggshells

· 75g CRH and 100g Eggshells

The Instruments

In this study, the instruments used were the following; lab equipment (To test the
amount contaminats of the well water), portable water adsorbent (the tool that the study
will use to adsorb Escherichia coliform), products (CRH and eggshells)

Production Methods

The study was conducted at Totolan, Dauis, Bohol. The well water samples were taken
from Manga District, Tagbilaran City, Bohol. The samples were then proceeded to
undergo laboratory testing to characterize their bacteria count. The water parameter
testing took place at the Dao Tagbilaran-Bohol Provincial Health Office.

A portable water pollution adsorbent was made using a mineral water container (1.5 L),
which was mounted and then cut in half horizontally. The upper part was flipped upside
down to form a funnel-like shape. The lead was covered by a cloth that served as a
strainer (filter). It should be noted that all materials used were sanitized before the start
of the experiment.

Preparation of the adsorbent:

Carbonized rice hull and eggshells were obtained from agricultural waste or
by-products. The materials were washed and dried before being carbonized at high
temperature in an oxygen-free environment. Eggshells were collected from the kitchen

19
and used as an adsorbent. The eggshells were cleaned by using boiled water several
times to remove any dirt particles.

After removing the dirt particles, the eggshells were then crushed into small pieces of
non-uniform size because size was not considered a parameter in this study. The
eggshells were later air-dried for 24 hours.

After 24 hours, the eggshells underwent the same step—washing again until no color
appeared—and air drying again for another 24 hours. Once the eggshells were totally
dried, the eggshell, including the eggshell membrane, was crushed using a mortar and
pestle, then stored in an airtight container for future use as a filter. CRH was already
available in the market, so the researchers decided to buy from their trusted seller, Tasb
Bulanghoy, who explained the process of how the CRH was made, the nutrients, and
the benefits before buying.

Collection of Contaminated Well Water:

Water samples were collected from the contaminated well located at Manga District,
Tagbilaran City, Bohol and analyzed for the presence of coliform bacteria using standard
microbiological methods. After laboratory testing, experiment can now be started.

Experimental Setup:

In the experiment, three portable water pollution absorbents (PWPA) were created. The
waste products, Carbonized Rice Hull and crushed eggshells, were separated and
measured according to the specific measurements for each setup. They were used as
“Sang-ga" to treat the polluted well water. The mixture was allowed to rest for 24 hours
and was then served for further analysis.

The adsorption experiments were conducted in batch or continuous flow mode. In the
batch experiments, a known amount of the adsorbents was added to a 1L volume of
contaminated water. In the continuous flow experiments, contaminated water was
passed through the adsorbent at a specific flow rate.

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Data Collection Procedures

Before the data gathering, the already absorbed waters were put to lab test. There, it
was shown whether the percentage of E.coli had lowered. The data was collected by
the following methods:

1. Gathering the amount of how many E.coli were lowered or adsorbed.

To gather data on the effectiveness of carbonized rice hull and eggshells as adsorbents
for contaminated water, the now gathered waters was conducted through laboratory
experiments. The effectiveness of the adsorbent was evaluated based on its adsorption
capacity, which was compared to other adsorbents or standard limits set by regulatory
bodies.

2. Comparison of different water well if it’s contains bacteria (coliform)

Questionnaires was also used to gather data on dependent variables in all respondents
of Manga District, Tagbilaran City, Bohol. Following the approval to conduct the survey,
informed consent was also provided to the respondents and after conveying the
purpose of the study, questionnaires was handed over. The collected data was collected
and tallied in order to preserve the detail of the said data and to start analyzing the data
for finding insights.

Data Processing Methods

Water analysis was conducted to the well water samples to make a comparison
between the differences of each water well. The water analysis is finished, the results
was recorded. A comparison was made between the different products to choose an
acceptable and suitable one to present as final merchandise. This include observing
and recording events on what the researcher observes. To test the hypothesis, the
researcher conducted One-Way ANOVA statistical test, created a bar graph and
perform a t-test to determine the significant differences between the variables being
observed.

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 The qualitative data is analyzed using content analysis to identify insights from
the interviews with sustainability and contamination reduction. The questionnaire could
be designed to ask respondents about their perception of the effectiveness, ease of
use, and overall satisfaction of the product.

Data and Statistical Analysis

The data was analyzed using the average of the Decreased Levels of Coliform of
every sample in each set-up and inputting the formula in the Microsoft Excel for
One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).

Using the One-Way ANOVA, the researchers were to find out whether there was
statistical evidence that the associated set-up means were significantly different to
know that there is a difference in the levels of E.coli between the different set-ups, and
directly proceeded to T-Test in order to find which pair of set-ups had significant
differences and to determine if the interaction among the set-ups is mutually statistically
significant.

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CHAPTER II

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

This section covers the results and findings of the collected data on the contaminated

well water that shows the results of the treated E.coli evaluation in experiment with

three experimental Set-ups A, B and C.

In this study, the parameters being gathered on the effectiveness of CRH and eggshells

are the levels of E.coli before and after treatment. The following tables showed the data

obtained during the conduct of the experiment.

Table 1. The amount of coliform count of the Set-ups A, B and C before and after
the treatment

sample BEFORE TREATMENT AFTER TREATMENT DIFFERENCE

SET-UP A SET-UP B SET-UP C SET-UP A SET-UP B SET-UP C SET-UP A SET-UP B SET-UP C

1 < 1.10 < 1.10 < 1.10 < 1.10 < 0.5 <1 0 0.6 0.1

2 < 1.10 < 1.10 < 1.10 < 1.10 <1 <1 0 0.1 0.1

3 < 1.10 < 1.10 < 1.10 <1 < 0.5 < 1.10 0.1 0.6 0

23
Table 1 shows the different levels of E.coli in each set-up before and after treatment and

the difference in each set ups. Set-up A was contaminated well water that were treated

with 100g carbonized rice hull and 75g eggshells. Meanwhile, set-up B were

contaminated well water that were treated with 75g carbonized rice hull and 100g

eggshells. Set-up C were the contaminated well water that were treated with 100g

carbonized rice hull and 100g eggshells. Set-up B (0.6, 0.1, 0.6 average: 0.43) which

has the highest level decrease among all set ups. On the other hand, set-up A (0, 0,

0.1 average: 0.03 were contaminated well water that were treated with 100g carbonized

rice hull and 75g eggshells which is the least level decrease among all the set-ups.

According to McFeters & Stuart (1972), no sample should contain more than 10 coliform

organisms per 100 ml. In this stage, finding new technological alternatives for

wastewater treatment that are of low cost and simple requirements of operation and

maintenance is a necessity (Delgadillo et al., 2010). Despite the development of

multiple treatment technologies including centralized and decentralized systems, in

general, the treatment capacity is relatively low in developing countries due to economic

limitations (Wu et al., 2016). The three samples is still undergoing processes, since the

result shows that the level of different set up is around <1, with only a fewer amount of

E.coli is decreased. According to the World Health Organization, a zero count of E. coli

per 100 ml of water is considered safe for drinking. A count of 1–10 MPN/100 ml is

regarded as low risk; 11–100 MPN/100 ml is medium risk. The three trials for the treated

well water is less than and within the range of <1 - <1.10.

24
Figure 1. Average Levels of Decreased Contaminant

Figure 3 shows the computed average of the average levels of decreased

contaminant and standard deviation difference before and after the application of the

different treatments; “1” is Set-up A (100g carbonized rice hull and 75g eggshell

Set-up), “2” is Set-up B (75g carbonized rice hull and 100g eggshells), and “3” is Set-up

C (100g carbonized rice hull and 100g eggshells). The Set-up A has a standard

deviation of 0.03, Set-up B has a standard deviation of 0.43, and Set-up C has a

standard deviation of 0.06. Furthermore, it also shows the computed average levels of

decreased contaminant after the application of different treatments as well as the

standard deviation of Set-up A which is 0.06, Set-up B with 0.29 and Set-up C with 0.08.

25
Table 2. Paired sample t-Test on the Contamination Levels of the treatments pair
of Set-up A, Set-up B and Set-up C.

Treatments Pair p-value (<,=,>) T-test Interpretation

Coliform Level A vs B 0.0408 > significant

A vs C 0.0003 > significant

B vs C 0.0007 > significant

Table 2 showed that in set-up A vs B, the resulting p-value is 0.0888 is lesser

than the level of significance 0.05 which means that there is no significant difference

between 100g Carbonized rice hull with 75g eggshells compared to 75g Carbonized

rice hull with 100g eggshells. For set up B vs C, the resulting p-value 0.0007 which

means there is no significant difference between 100g Carbonized rice hull with 75g

eggshells compared to 100g Carbonized rice hull with 100g eggshells. On the other

hand, set-up A vs C had a p-value of 0.0003.

Based on the results, it could be inferred that the sample that were applied

with 75g carbonized rice hull and 100g eggshell is the most suitable adsorbent for

E.coli.

26
Chapter III

SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Summary

This study focuses on the use of carbonized rice hulls and eggshells as

adsorbents for contaminated well water in rural areas. The high porosity of the

carbonized rice hull provides the possibility of the material being an effective adsorbent,

while the high amount of calcium carbonate in eggshells makes it a potential addition as

an adsorbent material. Three sets of adsorbent mixtures will be investigated with the

following characteristics: set a: 100g CRH and 75g eggshells; set b: 75g CRH and 100g

eggshells; and set c: 100g CRH and 100g eggshells. This study gives insights into the

possible advantages of carbonized rice hulls and eggshells as adsorbents for

contaminated well water. A total of 5 tests were conducted, including statistical tests.

The tests were: quality of the product after treatment (clearness of the water),

adsorption test, Laboratory tests, ANOVA, and T-tests.

Significant Findings

● For the quality test, set-up B; 75g CRH and 100g eggshells was the clearest in

comparison to the other two products. This is because eggshells carry a great

filter material and mostly have lot more particles of adsorption.

● For the adsorption test, set-up B produced the highest average level of

decreasing contaminants in well water, with an average of 0.43.

27
 ● For the laboratory test, it has shown that the set-up B was a product that reduced

most of the contamination in well water.

● After the ANOVA analysis, it showed that there were significant differences

between the three setups. T-tests were conducted on different setup pairs, all

leading to the same results as the ANOVA.

Conclusion

The study aimed to assess the decrease in contamination levels of well water

samples through various treatments. Initially, all samples exhibited a contamination level

of 1.10 units. However, after the application of different treatments, a noticeable

reduction in contamination levels was observed.

Based on observations, it can be inferred that the sample from set-up B, which

involved the application of 75g of carbonized rice hull and 100g of eggshells, proved to

be the most effective in adsorbing contaminants from the contaminated well water.

The statistical analysis using One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) supported

these observations. The computed F-value of 4.925926 was lower than the critical

F-value of 5.143253. Additionally, the computed p-value of 0.054227 indicated a

significant difference in the decreasing contamination levels of the contaminated well

water.

Figure 1 also demonstrated a distinction between the average data, further

supporting the significance observed in the ANOVA results. The study's findings align

28
with the standards outlined by NCBI (2022), which state that samples should not contain

E. coli in quantities exceeding 10 organisms per 100 ml. The combination of carbonized

rice hull and eggshells as an adsorbent material proved to be effective, likely due to the

higher nutrient content provided by this combination.

It is worth noting that the accuracy and statistical limitations of the tests should

be considered when discussing the bacteriological quality of drinking water. The

classical multiple-tube-fermentation test for coliform bacteria, for instance, possesses

inherent errors that may impact the results (Morse and Wolman, 1918).

In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that the application of 75g of

carbonized rice hull and 100g of eggshells (set-up B) is a suitable method for adsorbing

contaminants from contaminated well water. Further research and analysis are

recommended to validate these findings and explore the long-term effectiveness and

viability of this treatment approach.

Recommendations

Based on the outcome and findings of the study, the following recommendations

were given to teachers, staff, and future researchers:

1. It's important to pre-treat the contaminated well water to remove any visible solids or

sediments. This can be done through filtration or settling processes to ensure that

the adsorbents are not clogged or hindered by large particles.

29
 2. Conduct comparative studies with other commonly used adsorbents for bacterial

removals, such as activated carbon, to evaluate the effectiveness of carbonized rice

hull and eggshell powder in coliform adsorption. Compare their adsorption

capacities, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability aspects.

3. Conduct multiple experiments with different dosages to find the best balance

between adsorption capacity and cost-effectiveness.

4. Explore other studies focusing on the study, especially in improving its

quantitative properties and statistical treatments to get a clearer result.

FINDINGS

The main objective of this study is to observe and determine the

effectiveness of eggshells and CRH as adsorbents for contaminated well water. The

level contamination in every sample was measured. Set-up A were contaminated

well water that were treated with 100g carbonized rice hull and 75g eggshells.

Meanwhile, set-up B were contaminated well water that were treated with 75g

carbonized rice hull and 100g eggshells. Set-up C were the contaminated well water

that were treated with 100g carbonized rice hull and 100g eggshells.

In terms of levels in every sample before treatment, all samples were leveled

1.10 of contaminants. After the application of different treatments, it is shown that

the contamination level has decreased.

30
 Based from observations, it could be inferred that the sample from set-up B

which were applied with 75g carbonized rice hull and 100g eggshells is the most

suitable product for the adsorption on a contaminated well water.

31
APPENDICES

Figure 1 shows the average of each set-ups. Set-up A that were treated with 100g

carbonized rice hull and 75g eggshells resulted to an average of 0.003333. Meanwhile,

set-up B that were treated with 75g carbonized rice hull and 100g eggshells resulted to

an average of 0.083333. Set-up C that were treated with 100g carbonized rice hull and

100g eggshells resulted to an average of 0.003333.

Figure 2. ANOVA: Single Factor Data Result for the Average Level Decrease of E.coli

Figure 2 shows the summary table of One Way - Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for

the decrease of contamination of E.coli. As shown in the table, the F-value of

4.925926 is lesser than the F-critical value of 5.143253. Moreover, the computed

p-value which is 0.054227. This would conclude that there is significant difference

on the decreasing contamination levels of contaminated well water.

It is noticeable on figure 1 that there is a difference between the average

data and the significance was proven by the results in the ANOVA. According to

32
NCBI, (2022) Throughout any year, 95% of samples should not contain E. coli in

100 ml; No sample should contain more than 10 coliform organisms per 100 ml;

and, Coliform organisms should not be detectable in 100 ml of any two consecutive

samples." In nonpiped systems, the coliform count should not exceed 10/100 ml. In

discussing numerical standards of bacteriological quality of drinking water, the

accuracy and the statistical limits of the tests must be considered. In using the

classical, multiple-tube-fermentation test for coliform bacteria, it has been

recognized that the procedure itself has a large inherent error (Morse and Wolman,

1918).

The nutrients of carbonized rice hull and eggshells combined proved to be a

good material for adsorption. The performance of Set-up B could be as a result of

higher amount of nutrients from the mixture of eggshells and carbonized rice hull

this combination provides higher levels of nutrients.

Figure 3. Levels of Decreased Contaminant

33
 Figure 3. shows the computed average of the decreased levels of

contamination E.coli after the applications of different treatments. Set-up A (100g

CRH and 75g eggshell) Set-up B (75g CRH and 100g ), and Set-up C (100g CRH

and 100g eggshell).

Figure 4. Computed Standard Deviation of Different Set-ups

34
35
36
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risk of diarrhoeal disease from drinking-water in the Philippines. Bulletin of the World
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38
 CURRICULUM VITAE

PERSONAL INFORMATION:

Name: Auxtero, Kathlyn Shayne C.

Date of Birth: April 11, 2005

Place of Birth: Tagbilaran City

Address: Acacia Rd., Uptown Phase 1, Brgy. Ubujan, Tagbilaran City, Bohol

Email Address: [email protected]

Contact Number: 09658914084

Religion: Roman Catholic

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Elementary: Tagbilaran City Special Science Elementary School – SPED Center

Junior High School: Dr. CecilioPutong National Highschool

Senior High School: Dr. CecilioPutong National Highschool

Special Skills: none

39
 CURRICULUM VITAE

PERSONAL INFORMATION:

Name: Yecyec, Mary Grace B.

Date of Birth: April 24, 2005

Place of Birth: San Isidro, Pilar, Bohol

Address: C.P.G North Ave. Brgy. Cogon, Tagbilaran City

Email Address: yecyecclong123gmail.com

Contact Number: 09462384471

Religion: Roman Catholic

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Elementary: San Isidro, Pilar, Bohol

Junior High School: Dr. CecilioPutong National Highschool

Senior High School: Dr. CecilioPutong National Highschool

Special Skills: Dancing

40