Water is the most important life-sustaining drink for all living organisms. With the developments and improvisation that man has chanced upon these days, it has affected the purity of water by contaminating it severely. 70% of the human body is composed of water. In the case of dehydration, the body requires to store back the amount of moisture lost. That is when you feel thirsty or the desire to drink water. When such a situation arises, and you happen to drink a glass of water that is polluted, you should just drink it because you cannot just crib about it and try purification methods. So put your effort and purify water yourself so that you don’t end up falling sick by drinking impure water. Here are some ways which you can follow.
Complexity Level: Moderate
Time Required : 30 minutes
Resources required:
1.Water Filters
2.Iodine Tablets
3.Pots/Water containers
4.Camping Stoves And Fuel
5. Plastic Water Bottles
6.Clean Cloth
Instructions:
1. Clean your container
Rinse the container you need to store water in with dish soap and water
- Sift water through a clean cloth and allow it to settle for at least 30 min.
- Collect the filtered water into another clean container and drain off the settled murky water.
(If you want to to clear the water in a quick and easy way, then you can add a little aluminum sulfate so the impurities collect at the bottom, and this makes it easier to drain.)
2. Purifying Techniques
Adopt any of the purifying methods mentioned below as per your requirement or the availability of resources.
- Boiling:
This is the most conventional and recommended way to kill germs. Boil water for 1 min, and let it keep boiling on a low flame for a few more minutes, and then let it cool.
- Disinfecting:
Chlorine: The most common disinfection method is to chlorinate the water. Make sure you don’t overdo it because chlorine releases a toxic gas if it is used in excess. (Use of sodium hypochlorite neutralizes the release of excess toxic gas in chlorine when it is mixed with water).
Iodine: You can use a 2% iodine by adding 5 drops to every quart or liter of clear water; add 10 drop if the water is cloudy. Let the solution stand for at least 30 minutes.
Potassium permanganate: If you don’t mind your water being slightly pink colored, you can try adding about 3 or 4 crystals in a quart or liter of water. However, this method is advised only in case of emergency.
Solar Water Disinfection (SODIS): This cheap method can be adopted simply by pouring water into bottles and exposing them to direct sunlight for more than 6 hours.
Water Conditioning: Treating water with soda ash (sodium carbonate) reduces the effect of salt in hard water.
3. Aerate the water
Sometimes purified water can taste bland or salty. Aerate it by pouring it from one clean container to another several times. Alternatively, add a pinch of salt to each quart or liter of water. If the flavor is still unpleasant, use a powdered drink mix, if available.
4. Handling and Storage
Handle purified water hygienically and carefully. Open and close the lid without exposing or placing it on contaminated surface.
- Do not touch the rim or inside of the bottle or lid with fingers.
- Do not drink directly from the container. Pour into separate tumblers and drink.
- Mark the date on which you purified the water on the container, if you do not intend to use it immediately.
- Store purified water in dark cool places up to six months.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are the most common methods of purifying water?
The most common methods of purifying water is boiling and filtering. Chlorinating and carbonating methods are also used for house-hold purposes.
Is private well water safe?
Private wells are also treated with chlorine as natural water carries water borne diseases along with it. So even if your well is treated it is always recommended to boil water for some time and then use for consumption.
What kind of container should I use to store water?
Glass is best to be used to store water in. Since it is not so feasible to be using glass, you can alternatively use a high grade polycarbonate material.
Does chemically treated water affect people health-wise?
Yes. Small children and sometimes the elderly are affected due to the under developed or less tolerant immune system.
Quick Tips:
- Collect the water from a safe supply.
- Boiling is the safest way to purify water.
Things to Watch out for:
- Reusing the containers containing toxic materials such as pesticides and chemicals for the purposes of storing water proves injurious for health.
- Chlorine and iodine can be toxic. Use only in emergency situations.
- People with thyroid problems should check with their doctors before using water treated with iodine.