Build a Water Filter

Step 1 · Learn it

What a filter does

A filter has small gaps. Water passes through them; larger pieces of dirt cannot. That is all filtering is — separating by size.

Step 2 · Try it

Build and test it

Layer cloth, then sand, then stones inside the cut bottle, turned upside down. Pour muddy water in the top and watch what comes out.

• Lovia OriginalCreate

  Build a Water Filter

  Build a simple filter from a plastic bottle, sand, gravel and cloth, and see how it changes muddy water.

  • Primary · Junior High
  • 45 min
  • Text only
  • Works offline
  • No device needed

  Why Lovia recommends this: It uses materials found almost anywhere and teaches separation, observation and fair testing.

  What to do: Follow the Lovia journey step by step. Safety: filtered water is NOT safe to drink, even when it looks clear.

  Ghana connection: Connects to household water storage and the difference between clear water and safe water.

  For Teachers

  Start Learning

  Lovia Original — created by Lovia School. Rights: Open licence. Last checked 2026-09-10.

Step 3 · Ghana connection

Water at home

Many households store water after collecting it. Filtering removes visible dirt, which is one step — but it is not the step that makes water safe.

Step 4 · Challenge me

Improve it

Change one layer — thicker sand, a second cloth — and test again with the same amount of muddy water. Did it improve?

Step 5 · Check my learning

Check my learning

Explain to someone why the water that comes out looks cleaner, and why it still must not be drunk.