Hello FAF Club Members!

Welcome to our March meeting with a focus on Water and Sanitation! Let's kick things off with a fun and educational activity to learn about access to clean water.

Club/Event Meeting Activity: DIY Water Filter

Objective:

To simulate the challenges faced by communities lacking access to clean water.

To foster understanding of basic water filtration concepts.

Materials Needed:

Empty plastic recyclable water bottles (1 per participant)
Dirty water (can be collected in advance)
Rocks or pebbles from outside
Sand from outside
Gravel from outside
Coffee filters or cheese cloth
Rubber bands
Scissors
Markers or labels for personalization

Instructions:

1. Introduction (2 minutes):

Briefly discuss the global water crisis and the challenges faced by communities with limited access to clean water. You can decide to review the global leadership training with your members before or after this activity!
Introduce the DIY water filter activity as a hands-on way to understand the importance of water filtration.

2. Explanation (5 minutes):

Explain the basic principles of water filtration and the layers needed for effective filtration (e.g., rocks, sand, gravel). Include a mini demonstration of how to make a filter.
Murky water undergoes a three-stage filtration process in our system. Initially, sizable particles are separated as the water traverses through the rocks. Subsequently, finer particles are eliminated during the passage through the sand. Finally, the water undergoes filtration through activated charcoal, where the tiniest particles and certain chemicals are extracted. The presence of cotton balls ensures that the activated charcoal remains in the bottle. By progressing through each of these stages, the muddy water undergoes incremental purification. Nevertheless, for it to meet the standards of potable water, additional steps are required. Therefore, it is strongly advised not to consume this water.
Depending on the size of your club, you can create a friendly competition to see who has the best filtration system among teams or individuals.

3. DIY Water Filter Construction (10 minutes):

Step 1: Cut the bottom of the plastic water bottle to create a funnel shape. Using your scissors cut of the very end of the water bottle like so...

If you have a limited amount of time to perform this activity, we recommend doing this step prior to having participants engage in this activity.

Step 2: Poke a small hole in the cap.

If you have a limited amount of time to perform this activity, we recommend doing this step prior to having participants engage in this activity.

Step 3: Invert the bottle and create layers inside using rocks (at the bottom), followed by a layer of gravel, then sand.

Step 4: Place a coffee filter or cloth on top to simulate the fine filtration layer, then add to the layers with more materials.

Step 5: Secure each layer with rubber bands or by tightly twisting the bottle cap.

Step 6: Personalize your DIY water filter with markers or labels.

4. Testing (10 minutes):

Step 1: Pour dirty water into the DIY water filters.
Step 2: Observe and discuss the clarity of the filtered water.
Step 3: Compare the effectiveness of different filters within the group.

5. Reflection and Discussion (5 minutes):

Discuss:
- What challenges did you face in creating your water filter?
- How effective was your filter in improving water clarity?
- Reflect on the implications of inadequate water filtration in real-world scenarios.
- Summarize key learnings and emphasize the importance of accessible clean water.

This hands-on activity not only provides a practical understanding of water filtration but also encourages club members to think about the global water crisis and the importance of sustainable solutions. Enjoy the activity and the insightful discussions it sparks within your Far Away Friends club! 🌍💙