Ways to Purify Water
Having continuous access to a supply of clean water is necessary for survival. Today this is especially true as toxic contaminants and disease-causing pollutants become more of a concern worldwide. People in industrialized societies tend to rely most on municipal water treatment facilities for their water purification needs. Natural disasters, camping/hiking trips, and overseas visits to remote areas remind people all too well how much humans need safe water. Here are several simple methods of purifying water at home or in an emergency situation when bottled water may not be an option. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Water to purify
- Water purification tablets
- In-home water filters
- Unscented chlorine bleach
- Eyedropper
Instructions
-
-
1
Choose a reliable filtration system. This can include using a filter that attaches to the faucet on your sink. The faucet-mounted unit removes impurities as the tap water is released. Another type of filter that can be used is the filtration pitcher. This looks similar to a water pitcher but it contains a water filter and a holding tank. You fill the pitcher’s tank with plain tap water. The tank passes a controlled amount of water through its filter and then deposits the filtered water into the pitcher below for your use. When all of the water has been moved to the pitcher, it is safe to drink or to cook with.
-
2
Purchase and maintain a supply of purification tablets. Considered to be vital to any disaster relief kit, water purification tablets are an excellent addition to any emergency supplies that you may have set aside. As these may differ slightly in potency by brand, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions to determine how much water can be treated with one tablet and how long the water will remain safe to use.
-
-
3
Use unscented chlorine bleach. Only pure and undiluted household bleach should be used for water purification purposes. The amount used depends upon how much water in a container needs to be purified. Using a standard eyedropper, 15 or 16 drops is usually enough, even for several gallons. The water should be stirred or agitated well, then allowed to sit for a few minutes. A slight chlorine scent will be noticeable, but pathogens should be killed and the water rendered safe.
-
4
Boil water to purify it. If you have the ability to do so in an emergency, it is always a good idea to boil water in a heat-resistant container in order to destroy microbes and clear away impurities. An open fire or propane stove will suffice if you are outdoors or camping. Bring the water to a rolling boil for up to 5 minutes. If sediments are present, they will rise to the surface in a thin layer. Skim this off with a wide spatula or a large metal spoon and discard it. When the water has cooled, it may be stored for later use.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Carefully observe the directions on any packaged purification product that you use to ensure that you will obtain the desired result.
When in doubt about the potability (safe drinking status) of your water, don’t take chances. Water-borne illnesses can be fatal-- especially for the elderly, small children and those with compromised immune systems.
Resources
- Photo Credit Pure Water Systems
