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ABSTRACT
This project investigates the treatment potential of watermelon seed as a natural coagulant for water treatment. This project is aimed at identifying watermelon seed as a possible replacement for alum and other synthetic polyelectrolytes in treating water. Laboratory scale studies using jar test experiments were performed on medium turbid water to determine the effect of dosage, pH stirring time and speed on coagulation. The results showed that at dosage of 0.1g/L, pH of 7.0, stirring time of about 8minutes and mixing speed of 100rpm, optimal removal of turbidity and colour were obtained. The turbidity removal obtained was below the WHO recommended value of 5NTU however the best colour removal was not up to the WHO recommended value of 40TCU. When used in combination caused unfavourable changes in the pH of the treated water, however with 20% alum as coagulant aid, the best colour and turbidity removal at acceptable pH vii were obtained, with residual turbidity of 0.89 NTU and residual colour of 15TCU at a pH of 6.50. The results obtained showed watermelon seed can be used as a natural coagulant for water treatment. It is however recommended that further research should be carried out on pilot scale water treatment using watermelon seed as coagulant and alum as coagulant aid and also, more natural sources should be investigated for potential coagulation abilities
