Introduction
Access to safe drinking water is essential for human health and survival. Unfortunately, millions of people around the world do not have access to clean and safe drinking water. Unsafe drinking water can cause a variety of diseases and health problems, ranging from diarrhea and dehydration to serious illnesses like cholera and typhoid fever. In this post, we will discuss nine different ways to make water safe to drink.
Boiling Water
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), boiling water is one of the simplest and most effective ways to make water safe to drink. Boiling water kills bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms that can cause illness. If the water is cloudy or has particles in it, pour it through a clean cloth, paper towel or coffee filter to remove them prior to boiling.
To boil water, bring it to a rolling boil for at least one minute, and then allow it to cool before drinking. If you are at high altitude, above 6500 feet, boil water for three minutes before letting it cool. It will have a flat taste to it after boiling, but you can improve it by pouring the water from one container to another or by adding a pinch of salt to every quart/liter of clean water.
Boiling water is a simple and cost-effective method that can be used in emergencies or when other water treatment methods are not available. However, it is important to note that boiling water does not remove contaminants like chemicals, heavy metals, or sediment. For this reason, boiling is best used as a temporary solution until a more permanent water treatment method can be established. A pictograph can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/pdf/make-water-safe-during-emergency-p.pdf.
Chlorination
Chlorination is a widely used water treatment method that involves adding chlorine to water to kill harmful microorganisms. Chlorine is a powerful disinfectant that can kill bacteria, viruses, and protozoa that can cause illness. It’s commonly used in water treatment plants to provide safe drinking water to communities.
Chlorine can be added to water in different ways, including tablet form or liquid form. It is important to follow the recommended dosage when using chlorine to treat water, since too much chlorine can affect your health. Chlorination is effective in killing most microorganisms, but it may not be effective against some viruses and protozoa, such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia.
Filtration
Filtration is commonly used in water treatment plants to clean incoming water for large-scale reuse and redistribution. But, it can also be accomplished on a much smaller scale, such as with a whole-house filtration system or a portable hand-held system from a company like Vestergaard, the parent company of LifeStraw. Filtration is a method of removing impurities and contaminants from water by passing it through a filter. The effectiveness of filtration depends on the type of filter and the size of the pores in the filter. The LifeStraw personal water filter has been used around the world to ensure people have access to clean drinking water. It boasts a filtration microfilter with a pore size of 0.2 microns. It can remove 99.9% of parasites, 99.9999% of viruses, 99.999999% of bacteria, 99.999% of microplastics, silt, sand and cloudiness. It can also provide a single person a whole year’s worth of clean water (1,000 gallons/4,000 liters).
Filtration can also be obtained through the use of natural resources, including sand, gravel, ceramic, or activated carbon to remove sediment, bacteria, viruses, and protozoa from water, making it safe to drink. This is a method of filtering water like our ancestors did it. We will be cover this topic in a separate post.
Ultraviolet Treatment
Ultraviolet (UV) treatment is a method of disinfecting water by exposing it to UV light. UV light kills bacteria, viruses, and protozoa by damaging their DNA. UV treatment is commonly used in water treatment plants and can also be used in portable water purifiers.
Furthermore, it is effective in killing most microorganisms. But it may not be effective against some viruses and protozoa, such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia. UV treatment also does not remove impurities or chemicals from water.
Distillation
Distillation is a method of purifying water by boiling it and then collecting the steam as it condenses. The steam is collected in a separate container and then cooled back into liquid form, leaving impurities behind. Distillation can remove most impurities from water, including bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and heavy metals.
Distillation is a highly effective method of water treatment, but it can be expensive and requires a significant amount of energy. Distilled water may also be low in minerals and electrolytes, which can be important for overall health.
Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis (RO) is a method of removing impurities from water by forcing it through a semi-permeable membrane. The membrane allows water molecules to pass through while blocking impurities, such as bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and heavy metals. RO is commonly used in water treatment plants and can also be used in portable water filters.
RO is an effective method of removing impurities from water, but it can be expensive and requires a significant amount of energy. RO systems also generate wastewater, which can be a concern in areas where water is scarce.
Chemical Treatment
Chemical treatment involves adding chemicals to water to kill bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms. Common chemicals used for water treatment include chlorine dioxide, iodine, and hydrogen peroxide. Chemical treatment can be effective in killing most microorganisms, but it may not be effective against some viruses and protozoa, such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia.
Chemical treatment is commonly used in emergencies or in areas where other water treatment methods are not available. However, it is important to follow the recommended dosage when using chemicals to treat water, because too much can be harmful to your health.
Solar Disinfection
Solar disinfection, also known as SODIS, is a method of purifying water by exposing it to sunlight. The UV radiation from the sun kills bacteria, viruses, and protozoa in the water. To use this method, fill a clear plastic or glass container with water and leave it in direct sunlight for six hours. SODIS is a low-cost and effective method of water treatment, but it requires clear skies and a sunny day.
Ozonation
Ozonation involves adding ozone gas to water to kill bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms. Ozone is a powerful disinfectant that can kill microorganisms much faster than chlorine. Ozonation is commonly used in water treatment plants to provide safe drinking water to communities.
Ozone is effective in killing most microorganisms, but it may not be effective against some viruses and protozoa, such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Ozonation also does not remove impurities or chemicals from water.
Conclusion
There are many different ways to make water safe to drink. Boiling water, chlorination, filtration, UV treatment, distillation, reverse osmosis, chemical treatment, solar disinfection, and ozonation are all effective methods of water treatment. The method you choose will depend on the impurities in the water and the resources available to you. It is important to ensure that the water you are drinking is safe and free from contaminants to protect your health and well-being.
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