YIN1266: CO.FLOW: BREWING CLEAN WATER WITH COFFEE GROUND

Phoebe Lau Yi Xuan Labuan International School

Access to clean water is a pressing global issue, particularly in underserved 
communities where untreated water causes health problems and waterborne diseases. The lack 
of affordable and sustainable filtration solutions highlights the urgent need for innovative 
methods to provide safe drinking water. This project aims to design, develop, and test Co.Flow, 
a sustainable water filtration prototype made from recycled coffee waste, applying principles 
of IoT (Internet of Things), Mathematics, Science, Engineering, and Division to enhance 
filtration efficiency. Co.Flow leverages the natural absorbent and antimicrobial properties of 
coffee grounds, combined with layered recycled materials, to remove contaminants from 
untreated water, while an IoT-based monitoring system tracks water quality in real time. The 
use of recycled waste materials not only reduces environmental impact but also provides low
cost, effective access to clean water, improving health outcomes, community well-being, and 
environmental sustainability. Experimental testing shows a clear reduction in particulate matter 
and chemical impurities, confirming the prototype’s potential to deliver safe drinking water to 
resource-limited areas. In conclusion, Co.Flow demonstrates how interdisciplinary, sustainable 
engineering solutions can transform everyday waste into impactful technologies that improve 
water quality and promote long-term environmental and societal benefits.