TESTING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MEDIA THICKNESS FOR FILTERING DRIED TOFU DREGGS IN DECREASING IRON (Fe) LEVELS IN GROUNDWATER

Abstract

Water is a natural resource that has a crucial function for the life of all living things. One of the waters used by humans is groundwater which contains many natural minerals needed for life, but if excessive, it can cause negative impacts, for example, iron (Fe). The presence of high iron (Fe) in groundwater can cause problems, such as polluting tubs, sinks, toilets, corrosiveness to pipes that result in petrification, color, odor and taste and cause health problems.

This research is an experimental study to know the effectiveness of the thickness of the dry tofu dregs filter media in reducing iron (Fe) levels in groundwater. This research was conducted in South Tangerang City, Banten, Indonesia. The water sample was 35 liters from an electric pump well, which was treated with the filtration-adsorption method using dry tofu dregs filter media with variations in the thickness of 0 cm (control), 30 cm, 45 cm, and 60 cm and contact time for 120 minutes. With a flow rate of 100 ml in 7 minutes. Then 4 treatments were carried out with 3 repetitions in each treatment.

The study results on the content of iron (Fe) in groundwater and iron (Fe) before processing by a filtration-adsorption method using dry tofu dregs filter media was 3.05 mg/l. The top iron (Fe) level allowed for clean water quality requirements is 1.0 mg/l.

Of the four treatments, the thickness of the dry tofu dregs filter media was the most effective in reducing iron (Fe) levels, namely at a thickness of 45 cm. The ones with   low thickness reduced iron levels below the maximum allowable standard with an average yield of 0.83 mg. /l.

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Therefore, traders must pay attention to environmental sanitation, especially to carry out proper washing techniques based on regulations Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia No. 1096  of  2011 concerning food service sanitation hygiene.