How to Purify Water Using Tablets

Whether you are camping, in the military, traveling in areas where water is not pure or surviving a natural disaster, there are times when you need to purify water quickly. Tablets are small and easy to put in your backpack, compared to a large filter. Iodine tablets purify contaminated water and make the water safe to drink.

Things You'll Need

• Iodine tablets
• Quart containers

Instructions

1. Pour water into a container that can be secured with a cap.

2. Drop two iodine tablets into your container per one quart or one liter of water.

3. Put the cap on loosely and wait five minutes for the tablet to start dissolving.

4. Shake the container to allow some water to leak out of the cap and disinfect the threads and lip of the container.

5. Secure the cap tightly and wait 30 minutes before drinking.

Tips & Warnings

• An unopened container of iodine tablets will last up to four years. Once you open the jar, the tablets are good for one year.

• Tablets that are yellow or light green in color are no longer effective.

• Prevent any moisture from entering the jar.

References

• Purifying the Water While Camping
• Potable Aqua - Iodine Tablets