How To Make Sure Your Water Is Safe For Drinking?
By: John Garcia | Date Posted: November 2, 2021
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We all need to drink water to stay hydrated. However, you need to ensure that the water is safe for consumption. Even if the water is regulated by the local government, this does not always mean it is safe for drinking.
Most water sources contain hundreds of contaminants. The other thing is that you should never drink water from a natural source even if it looks clean. Fortunately, there are different purification methods you can apply to improve the quality of your water. Read on to learn how to make sure your water is safe for drinking.
Boil the Water
Boiling water before drinking it is one of the safest and easiest methods you can use to disinfect it. This method is very effective since it helps to kill organisms that cause diseases including harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Boiling also helps treat water if it looks murky or cloudy.
You only need to leave your water to boil for about a minute if you stay in low-altitude areas. However, people living in high-altitude places should boil their water a bit longer since the temperature ranges differ.
When you collect water from a source, it is clean, or it does not have visible particles. If the water looks dirty, leave it to settle first before you filter it. After filtering your water, pour it into a pot and place it on a burner or stove.
When the water has boiled, remove it from the stove and leave it to cool before you can drink it. If you are in the jungle and relying on natural sources, make sure you boil the water to make it safe for drinking.
Use a Water Filtration System
Regulated water is not always safe to drink, and this is why a water filtration system plays a crucial role in eliminating toxic contaminants that can cause diseases.
There are different types of filters, so you should try to seek Free Water Consultation to get the right filtration system. It is essential to consult an expert who can test the quality of your water and recommend appropriate tools that can eliminate specific compounds and organisms. Water filters use physical and chemical processes to eliminate bigger compounds and invisible contaminants that cause diseases.
With an appropriate filtration system, the quality and taste of your water will significantly improve. This method does not rid the water of all minerals thereby helping the water to retain good quality. The beverages and meals you prepare using purified water will also change for the better.
However, most filters cannot remove viruses since they are too small. Therefore, you may still need to boil the water after filtering it, especially if you obtain it from natural sources. Remember to take care of your filter and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Use Chemical Disinfectants
Another method you can use to purify your water is to use chemical disinfectants like chlorine. Mix the appropriate ratio of home chlorine and water as instructed and leave the solution to sit for about 30 minutes.
This treatment method kills bacteria but not other types of parasitic organisms. If the water is cloudy or muddy, you should use filter paper or cloth to remove sediment before disinfecting it.
Alternatively, you can use tablets to disinfect natural water. It is crucial to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to disinfect your water. Only use approved products, or you can consult an expert first.
Avoid using pool cleaning tablets since they are not safe for consumption. Before you disinfect the water, make sure you filter it to remove dirt and other unwanted compounds. You also need to consult your doctor before using disinfection products. Other tablets, especially iodine may not be safe for people in special cases or pregnant women. Extended use of iodine may not be recommended since it can cause side effects.
Distillation
Water distillation is a purification process that uses heat to produce pure water as vapor. This is a scientific method that separates pure water from other contaminants. Water has a lower boiling point than other organisms.
When the water reaches boiling point, it starts to evaporate, and the vapor is directed into the condenser where it cools and forms water droplets. All the substances with higher boiling points remain in the water container that is subjected to heat.
This method is very effective in killing bacteria, germs, and removing other compounds. Distillation is ideal for raw water that is drawn from unsafe sources. However, the process is very slow and requires a lot of heat. You may take several hours to distill a small amount of water.
Solar Sterilization and UV Light Purification
Another easy method to treat water is to leave it in plastic bottles and place them in areas with direct access to sunlight. Leave the water bottles for a few hours in the sun to allow heat radiation to kill the microbes that cause diseases.
Solar disinfection is ideal for emergencies, and the time required to disinfect water depends on the availability of sunlight. It is a good idea to leave the water outside for about a day to ensure that it gets enough heat from the sun. You must only use water bottles since other materials can cause chemical reactions.
Make Sure Your Water Is Safe For Drinking
A battery-operated purifier can also be used to disinfect water. It works by removing viruses, bacteria, and protozoa found in natural sources. This method can only treat small quantities of water.
Check if the battery has sufficient power, otherwise, the system may fail to disinfect the water. Furthermore, make sure the water is free of sediment and other particles that can shield microorganisms from light.
It is critical to keep your body hydrated, and you can achieve this by drinking safe, potable water. Remember, different sources of water contain hundreds of contaminants, so you should choose the ideal purifying method to make the water safe for drinking.
The above tips are some of the most effective methods you can consider depending on your situation. However, it is always advised that you consult an expert before you decide on the right water purification system to use.
Thank you for reading!
