The Cheapest Way to Purify Water at Home

It does not have to be expensive to purify water at home.

Purifying water at home does not need to be expensive. You don't need to spend a lot of money to get crisp-tasting drinking water at home. Purified water is not always done for taste. At times, water can become contaminated with chemicals, bacteria or viruses. If that is the case, your tap water is dangerous and purification is essential. Although water is purified, contaminated water should never be used for drinking.

Things You'll Need

• Pot
• Clean container
• Liquid household bleach
• Faucet filter
• Filter pitcher

Instructions

1. Fill up a pot with water. Place the pot on the stove. Bring the water to a rolling boil for one full minute. Allow the water to cool before drinking.

2. Place one quart of water into a clean container. Add three drops of liquid household bleach if water is clear or a little cloudy. Add five drops of liquid household bleach if the water is very cloudy. Mix well and let it stand for 30 minutes. If the water is excessively cold or cloudy, let it stand for one hour. Do not use bleach that has additives such as dye or perfumes.

3. Attach a home water filter to your faucet by screwing the mounts enclosed in the package into your existing faucet. No tools are necessary.

4. Purchase a water filter pitcher. Remove the filter from the filter bag. Soak the filter for 15 minutes. Rinse the filter under cold tap water for five seconds. Place the filter into the reservoir located on the top of the pitcher. Spill out the first two pitchers of water, as you may get carbon dust in your first two fillings.

References

• Washington State Department of Health: Purifying Household Water

Resources

• The Backpacker's Field Manual: OA Guide to Water Purification