There are various ways of purifying water at home. While some are inexpensive, others take time and effort to provide safe drinking water. Water purification makes water suitable for human consumption by removing contaminants, chemicals, gasses, and suspended solids. Most households can meet water quality standards using methods like filtration, distillation, boiling water, and disinfection.
Water filtration using Filtap Filters improves the microbiological quality of water. It reduces the risk of waterborne diseases like diarrhea and other medical conditions such as rectal cancer, colon cancer, and bladder cancer. There are many ways to purify water at home that are quite simple and affordable. Here are some methods of purifying water for household use.
- Boiling Water
Boiling water is the simplest, cheapest, and safest method of purifying water. Boiling water at about 60 degrees centigrade for up to three minutes effectively eliminates water pathogens in water with high turbidity. High temperatures destroy viruses, bacteria, parasites, and all other impurities in water. Once you boil the water, you should keep it in a clean pot to let the contaminants and microorganisms settle at the bottom.
- Filtration
Filtration is a common and effective method of water purification. It involves the removal of harmful toxins and compounds from hard water through chemical and physical processes. Filtration is a very cost-effective method of purifying water through various kinds of equipment to produce healthier purified water that is free from compounds that cause waterborne diseases. It also removes sediments, toxins, harmful contaminants, and chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides, and other impurities rendering the water safe for human consumption.
- Distillation
Distillation is the process of collecting water vapor that has been condensed back into purified drinking water through heating. The process is highly effective in removing impurities, such as bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, salts, and other contaminants, making it a popular choice for purifying drinking water at home.
The distillation process involves heating water to its boiling point and capturing the steam produced. The steam is then cooled and condensed back into water, which is then collected in a separate container. The impurities present in the original water sample are left behind, as they have a higher boiling point and do not vaporize.
- Chlorination
Chlorine is an affordable and widely used agent that is easy to use. It is an old technique appropriate for treating water for human consumption emergencies. This water purification method effectively kills parasites, bacteria, germs, and other disease-causing pathogens found in tap water.
In this method, liquid chlorine or chlorine tablets are put in the water and left for about 30 minutes after stirring. The chlorine reacts with the contaminants in the water and forms compounds that are unable to support the growth of harmful microorganisms. The amount of chlorine used in the process is carefully regulated to ensure that it is both effective in killing pathogens and safe for consumption.
- UV Lamp Purifiers
This is a method of purifying drinking water using ultraviolet light. It is an inexpensive and effective method that removes most contaminants, such as bacteria and other impurities, from the water. It is ideal for water with low turbidity but has the downside of not being able to eliminate all the bacteria and contaminants. It also does not remove sediments but removes residual disinfectants such as chlorine from the water; thus, you have to add them back after the process.
- Solar Purification
Also known as SODIS (Solar Disinfection), this method uses solar energy to purify water. It involves putting water in transparent containers and exposing it to direct sunlight at about 55 degrees for up to five hours. The UV radiation and thermal effects of the sunlight incapacitate waterborne microorganisms in the water leading to complete bacteriological disinfection. This method is, however, limited by the availability of the sun.
- Adding Iodine
This powerful purification method involves adding Iodine liquids or tablets to your drinking water. This easily available red chemical effectively kills viruses and bacteria in your water. The downside of this method is that it adds an unpleasant taste to your water. Consumption of high concentrations of Iodine can be fatal. Thus it should only be used if there is no other option.
- Sedimentation And Decantation
This common method of water purification requires few chemicals to treat the water. Sedimentation uses gravity to eliminate solids from the bottom of the surface. On the other hand, decantation separates mixtures of solids and liquids, such as suspension. It is a low-cost technology that reduces water’s solids, microbes, and turbidity. The downside of this method is that it needs to remove pathogens and solids efficiently, and it can be a labor-intensive process.
- Ozone Disinfection
This is an inexpensive method of purifying water very fast. In the process, ozone releases dissolved oxygen molecules or ozone gas that is toxic to most waterborne organisms. Water is placed in stainless steel or aluminum cans under direct sunlight for several hours. The ozone gas is very efficient in killing viruses and bacteria, making tap water suitable for human consumption. It is a portable water purification method that can be very handy during hiking or camping.
Conclusion
Purifying water is essential as it effectively removes contaminants while improving the taste and odor of your drinking water. Although there are many ways of purifying drinking water, some can be expensive, and you can do it for free using natural purification methods. Some methods involve multiple interventions that are very effective in eradicating disease-causing pathogens.
Regardless of your chosen method, ensuring that your water is safe and healthy to drink is important.
