5 Easy Ways to Make Your Water Drinkable
Water consumption is essential for our health. However, the water we use at home may not be that clean to drink, as it may contain various foreign substances, such as viruses, which can cause health issues. Ensuring our water is filtered is significant. That being said, 5-Minute Crafts rounded up handy and budget-friendly water filtration methods to show you how you can purify water.
Know the signs that your water is dirty.
Drinkable water must meet specific conditions to be healthy and clean. Avoid drinking the water if:
- There is any visible sediment or it bears a color. Know that green or blue water means there might be some corrosion of copper plumbing, whereas black or dark brown water is due to manganese content, etc.
- It has a distinct odor. For example, if it smells like sulfur or rotten eggs, it may be because of the heater, or there might be some bacteria growing in your sink drain.
- It tastes metallic, salty, etc.
There are plenty of ways to purify water at home. Read on to learn more.
1. Boil it.
Boiling or heating water higher than room temperature helps kill pathogenic bacteria and more. You can use a kettle or do it over a heater. Bring it to a rolling boil at 212°F (100°C) for at least a minute.
Tip: Above 5,000 feet (1,524 meters), boiling it for at least 3 minutes, or 5 minutes in other situations, is sufficient. Don’t forget to cool it naturally for about 30 minutes before sipping.
2. Buy a water purifier product.
There are plenty of different options on the market. For example, you can purchase the following:
- An electric water purifier uses electricity and comes in many types. For example, a UV water purifier uses UV radiation, whereas the RO type uses pressured water to kill microorganisms.
- A water purifier uses different types of filters, such as sediment, activated charcoal, and UF, to catch residue and microorganisms.
3. Use coffee filters.
Remember, you can’t disinfect water when it’s colored or cloudy. Therefore, settle it first when it’s cloudy. You can then filter it through a clean cloth, paper towel, or coffee filter and keep it in clean containers with lids.
4. Add lemons.
Research conducted by Texas A&M University found the following:
- Adding lemon to tap water before boiling or bringing it to a boil is more reliable in combating disinfectants.
- Adding lemon to boiled tap water, then cooling it to room temperature, works okay to some extent, but it’s not as good as the former method.
5. Use water disinfection tablets or drops.
Some typical water purification or disinfecting tablets and drops, such as chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and iodine, are available. You can purchase them online, at drug marts, or at pharmacies. Be sure to follow the instructions on the package label. Drop the tablets into the water and let everything sit for however long the package instructions indicate.