This research had as its main purpose the evaluation of the use of natural coagulate, obtained from Moringa oleifera seeds and their efficiency in the slow direct filtration and sedimentation processes for the treatment of highly turbid water. In developing countries such as Brazil, technologies for water treatment must provide the possibility of water purification in an easy, self-maintainable and low cost process, for people who live in regions characterized by shortage of drinking water. Studies so far suggest that there is a potential application of Moringa oleifera in the water treatment with slow direct filtration. A flocker composed of a PET bottle and three filters composed of similar bottles with non-woven synthetic blanket were used in the slow filtration, with a discharge of affluent water to the filters of approximately 4 m³ m-2 d-1. In the water treatment process evaluation of the sedimentation efficiency, a flocker composed of PET bottles and a sedimentation tank was used. The water used for these experiments was the synthetic water obtained by bentonite, which presents adequate qualitative characteristics for the analysis.
natural coagulate; slow filtration; sedimentation
