- Before the onset of the Industrial Revolution, commonly used sources of drinking water had become unsafe in many countries. Since then, the problem has gotten worse in many areas of the world. In the United States and Europe, government agencies have the authority to set standards for the collection, purification and distribution of drinking water. In most cases, consumers do not need to do anything to purify tap water in their homes. Emergencies such as natural disasters and damage that compromises your municipal water supply do occur. Your knowledge about effective water purification methods will come in handy at these times.
- Boiling is the best method of purifying tainted or suspect water from municipal systems, lakes, streams and wells. Boiling water for 1 minute kills Cryptosporidium and Giardia, the main water-borne bacteria that can cause illness or death. The Environmental Protection Agency also recommends that consumers filter cloudy or discolored water through a clean cloth before boiling it. This removes particulates and sediment that could be harmful or affect the water's taste. Allow the filtered water to settle before boiling. Drawing or scooping the water instead of pouring it will keep most particles at the bottom of your container.
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Drinking WaterChemical water purification methods are also effective and simple. Unscented household bleach, chlorine tablets and iodine can purify water. Household bleach usually has a concentration of 5 percent chlorine. Check the label before using to be sure. The EPA recommends using a dropper to measure the chlorine. You only need eight drops, roughly 1/8 tsp., of bleach to purify 1 gallon of water. The correct amount for 1 quart and 1 liter is two drops. If the chlorine concentration in your bleach is higher or lower, you will need to do some math to calculate the ratios for safe disinfection with chlorine bleach. Mix the chlorine and water, then wait 30 minutes before using it. Chlorine tablets are popular alternatives to bleach. Many sporting goods stores sell them. Unless the printed instructions differ, use one tablet per quart of water. Purify water with iodine in an emergency by adding two drops to each quart of water. In the United States, household iodine has a concentration of 2 percent. Any other formulation will require math skills to calculate the correct amount to add to your water. If the water is cloudy, add 10 drops. Mix well and wait 30 minutes before consuming the water. - Solar water purification techniques are also handy for emergencies. People in less-developed countries also rely on them to remove bacteria and viruses from their daily water supply. The simplest method requires clear glass bottles, a roof with black coating and a minimum of 8 hours of sunlight. Put filtered water into the bottles and close them tightly. Leave them on the black roof for 8 hours. The solar water purification method is similar to boiling water; however, it uses the sun for the heating cycle instead of a fossil fuel. It is possible to construct a more advanced solar water purification system that uses thermal energy to distill water. The collection equipment makes this method more expensive for consumers than emergency purification options.
