Investigating the Effectiveness of a Simple Water-Purifying Gadget Using Moringa oleifera Seeds as the Active Beads

Clean water scarcity in developing countries like South Africa poses significant health risks. This study investigated the effectiveness of a simple water purification device using Moringa oleifera Lam. seeds as active beads, offering a novel, low-cost, and sustainable solution for water treatment in resource-limited settings. The device combined M. oleifera seed powder with activated charcoal and cotton wool, providing a locally adaptable and environmentally friendly solution. Water samples were collected from three sites along the Pienaars River during winter and summer, and M. oleifera seeds were ground into three particle sizes (710 µm, 1000 µm, and 2000 µm) for testing. Results showed that the device significantly reduced microbial loads, with the total coliforms decreasing by 60–85%, E. coli by 50–75%, Salmonella spp. by 40–70%, and Shigella spp. by 30–65% across sampling points. However, filtered samples still exceeded the WHO and SANS guidelines, with microbial counts remaining above 0 CFU/100 mL. Physicochemical properties, including pH (6.02–7.73), electrical conductivity (17.8–109.5 mS/m), and ion concentrations (e.g., nitrate: 0.21–39.55 mg/L; chloride: 8.57–73.55 mg/L), complied with the SANS 241:2015 and WHO drinking water standards. The finest particle size (710 µm) demonstrated the highest microbial reduction and increased magnesium concentrations by up to 30%. Seasonal variations influenced the performance, with summer samples showing a better microbial removal efficiency (70–85%) compared to winter (50–70%). This study highlights the potential of M. oleifera-based filtration as a low-cost, sustainable solution for reducing microbial contamination, though further refinement is needed to meet drinking water standards. This research introduces a novel approach to water purification by combining M. oleifera seed powder with activated charcoal and cotton wool, providing a locally adaptable and environmentally friendly solution. The findings contribute to the development of scalable, natural water treatment systems for resource-limited communities.