Water is the most crucial thing that all living creatures require. The existence of life on our planet is undeniably dependent on this universal solvent. Water covers more than 70% of the earth’s surface, however, the majority of it is unfit for human consumption.
Purified water should be a part of everyone’s day-to-day routine. The amount of water you drink on a regular basis determines the quality of your general health. Dehydration, weariness, constipation, and kidney stones, to mention a few, are common side effects of not drinking enough water.
Why is it important to purify drinking water?
The quality of water and the influence it will have on your body are determined by the source of water. In India, it is dangerous to drink tap water without filtering it first using water purifiers.
Yes, that’s right!
Every year, over lakh individuals, fall sick as a result of water-borne infections. It is due to a lack of effective planning and treatment of drinking water, leaving us with only one option: using water purification at home and at work.
Water that appears to be clean and clear might contain a variety of hazardous pollutants that can cause significant illness.
As a result, it should come as no surprise that we should only consume pure water.
Using a decent quality water filter is the simplest and most dependable way of water purification.
Here are different ways of purifying water:
1. Boiling
Boiling is the easiest and most popular way to filter drinking water. To be safe, heat the water over a stovetop burner or an open flame until it reaches a full, rolling boil, then continue to boil for at least five to ten minutes.
Because boiling contaminated water removes all oxygen from the liquid, it may have a flat taste. This is a small flaw that can be readily remedied by shaking the filtered water a little.
You also can add a pinch of salt to improve the flavor of the drinking water.
2. Commercial Filters
Water can be filtered in a variety of ways to make it safe to drink. Porous materials like coffee filters and cotton towels can be utilized in a pinch, but they aren’t very effective at removing all undesired particles.
Commercial filters, on the other hand, are quite effective at removing practically all tannins and silt from contaminated water.
Commercial filters, like RO water purifier, come in a variety of sizes and shapes, including portable ones to keep on hand in an emergency, filtration systems that connect directly to your home faucet, and even filters that come pre-installed on water pitchers and individual bottles.
Water filters come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and prices, but they all function by passing water through charcoal or ceramic filters before chemically treating it.
The most typical disadvantage of this method is that the filters can easily become clogged. Some filters can be cleaned and reused, while others will need to be replaced.
1. Slow Sand Filtration
A process known as gradual sand filtering, which has been used by commercial farmers for many years, is another way to purify water.
Sand filtration is a very successful method that consists of several layers of sand that remove suspended materials from water.
Slow sand filters differ from all other water-clarification filters in that they work by using a complex, gel-like coating that forms naturally on the sand’s surface, rather than the sand itself.
Slow sand filtration has a number of advantages. The best thing about it is how simple it is to put together and how accessible it is as a do-it-yourself project. Furthermore, sand filters require little to no mechanical power, chemicals, or replaceable parts, and they are simple to use and maintain.
Slow sand filters, on the other hand, have a low filtration rate, and for optimal drinking water treatment, a proportionate land area is necessary.
Bleach
Although it may seem strange, bleach can be used to purify water in an emergency. Working with bleach, however, can be harmful due to the fact that it is a chemical, and precise guidelines must be followed to ensure adequate safety and successful water treatment.
First, double-check that you’re using chlorine bleach that’s both soap-free and odorless. Add the following volumes of liquid bleach to the contaminated water using a new or sterile medicine dropper:
- Bleach with a chlorine concentration of four to six percent (most typical household bleaches) – Add eight drops of bleach to each gallon of water.
- One percent chlorine – for every gallon of water, add 40 drops of bleach.
- Add four drops of bleach to each gallon of water for a seven to ten percent chlorine solution.
Allow 30 minutes for the chlorinated water to settle after mixing the two. A mild chlorine odor should be present in the cleansed water. The procedure can be repeated if necessary.
Liquid Iodine and Iodine Tablets
To kill poisons in water, use small doses of liquid iodine or iodine tablets. Iodine, like bleach, is a chemical that should only be used for a brief period of time.
If the water is clear, use a medicine dropper to add five drops of two percent liquid iodine to each quart of water. Use ten drops if the water is murky. Water purification tablets containing iodine are also available.
Two pills per quart of water can be used. Allow the solution to settle at room temperature for at least thirty minutes to an hour. Before drinking, give it a good shake.
To remove any leftover bitterness from the iodine, add ingredients like lemon juice, lemonade powder, or even vitamin C tablets to clean water.
Non-Chemical Stabilized Oxygen
Adding droplets of Stabilized Oxygen is one of the quickest and easiest ways to purify tap water. This natural antibiotic is available for purchase and comes with instructions for use.
Because Stabilized Oxygen delivers clean drinking water when used right away, having a few bottles on hand in case of natural catastrophes or outdoor crises is a good idea.
Ultraviolet Light
UV lights have been shown to kill hazardous germs in water, air, and even solid surfaces, making them extremely effective in water purification.
In fact, one of the healthiest methods to consume water at home is through UV water filtration. Portable UV water filters are available in stores and on the internet.
Other forms of ultraviolet light (such as tanning bed bulbs and even black lights) can be used in an emergency.
