Phytoremediation is an innovative technique to purify water. It is major leap forward to solve drinking water safety issue. Use of plants and plant derived products can be more effective and economical than any other chemical methods. Plants are easily available and cause no side effects in water during purification.
Moringa oleifera, has already been reported as antimicrobial and dust removing agent in water. Its extract and powder form when dissolved in water kill bacteria and settles down with the dust at the bottom. Turbidity is easily cleared with moringa seed extract and powder. It is a natural dust remover which has already been proved. Other potential herb for water purification is coriander. Coriander (Coriandrumsativum) is one of the most widely used herbs in the world, it is easily available and it can grow anywhere. Coriander leaves or Cilantro have such an anatomy of cells which helps it to act as bio-sorbent; it efficiently removes metal from water. It has shown promising results so far on small scale and wide scale research is in progress regarding its use on large scale.
In this research plants and extracts from plant source were used as water purifier. Water sample was contaminated with all the potential contaminants in the laboratory. Those contaminants were, coliforms, metals and dust particles. After that water quality tests was performed on the contaminated water and level of contamination was noted.
Coliform contaminated water wastreated with moringa seed powder. It was incubated so that moringa could show his effect on the growth of coliforms. Water quality tests were performed on purified water and its level of contamination wasnoted. Heavy metal contaminated water was treated with coriander leave coated with moringa seed. Same water quality tests were performed before and after treatment and significant changes were observed.
Result for contamination level of pre and post treatment was compared in a tabular form to checked effectiveness of the treatment. Moringa and cilantro are expected to remove or reduce the microbial load and chemical from the water respectively. Results had shown that both these plants have potential to purify water by reducing amount of microbes and metals. Water quality can be improve by using both these plants. Results are very much positive further study and research will reveal more potential of both these plants to improve quality of water.