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How to Separate Sand & Water With Filter Paper

Separating sand from water is a simple process if you have the correct tools. Filtering paper is thin enough to let the water pass through uninhibited, but it catches the larger particles of sand, preventing them from passing through with the water. To clean the water completely, you may have to pass it through the filter paper several times. You will, however, begin to see the difference in the water after the first filtration.

Things You'll Need

Jar
Towel
Filter paper
Rubber band

Instructions

- 1
  Rinse an empty jar to remove dust and other debris. Dry the inside of the jar with a thick, lint-free towel.
- 2
  Place a piece of filter paper over the top of the clean jar. The piece needs to be large enough to fit over the opening of the jar with plenty of slack on the sides. Press down on the paper, right over the jar's opening, to create a small indentation.
- 3
  Place a rubber band around the outside of the jar and over the paper. This secures the paper in place so it can't move during the filtration process.
- 4
  Pour the sandy water slowly over the filtered paper. Stop after three minutes of slow pouring, and set the container of sandy water aside.
- 5
  Pull the rubber band off the rim of the jar and lift the filter paper carefully. Do not let one side of the paper dip or it may spill sand into the jar of clean water.
- 6
  Replace the spent paper with a new piece of filter paper. Fix it in place with the rubber band and continue filtering the sandy water. Replace the filtration paper every three minutes.
- 7
  Examine the water in the jar closely. If you see particles of sand, place the paper filter over a new jar and transfer the water to the new container.

Nature