Some systems can include 5, 7, or even 10 stages. While the additional stages offer extra benefits such as pH level balance and UV filtration, a simple 3-stage system has everything required to produce pure, drinkable water. RO systems require frequent maintenance and replacement of filters in order to keep them functioning properly. Read our article on reverse osmosis systems for home use for a detailed guide on how they work and which brands to use. Disadvantages: Slow, Unpleasant taste, Not effective against Cryptosporidium.
Iodine is more popularly known as a powerful disinfectant and salt component that helps prevent thyroid problems, but it is also used in water purification processes. Iodine, a reddish-orange chemical, kills bacteria and viruses at the cellular level and is available in many forms: tablet, crystal, liquid, or tincture. It can kill Giardia cysts when allowed to sit for at least 50 minutes instead of the standard 30 minutes but is ineffective against Cryptosporidium.
Iodine is very powerful. It can be lethal in high doses and should therefore be used to purify water only when other methods are unavailable, but not as a regular water purification method. Pregnant women, children, and those with thyroid problems, iodine, or shellfish allergies should avoid using it.
To purify water with tincture iodine, combine two drops of iodine for every quart of clear water. If the water is cloudy, use 10 drops for every quart. Let the solution stand for at least 30 minutes and let the iodine do its job. Typically, a bottle of crystal iodine can treat up to quarts of water Instructables, Iodine is sensitive to light and should always be stored in a dark bottle.
Like Chlorine, Iodine can come in the form of tablets which allow for convenience and ease of carrying. Read our article on iodine water purification tablets to find out more. Disadvantages: Depends heavily on weather, Very slow even on sunny days. Solar purification is an effective process when traditional purification methods are unavailable, such as when backpacking, living off-grid, or in emergency situations.
The ultraviolet rays of the sun are effective in killing bacteria and viruses. A popular misconception about the safety of stagnant pond water is that the sun's heat kills any potentially dangerous microbes in the water. The reality is that stagnant ponds should always be considered unsafe because the water below the surface is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and mosquitoes.
One way to disinfect water through solar purification is through the use of plastic bottles and sunlight. Remove all labels and paper from the bottles and ensure they have no scratches. Fill them with water to about three-quarters full, shake for a half-minute to activate the oxygen, fill with water to the brim, cover, and then lay it horizontally, and expose it to direct sunlight Water Benefits Health.
For best results, choose a location where direct sunlight will be undisturbed for at least six hours. If it is a little cloudy, exposure time increases to two days. A Solar Still is a device that can be constructed in order to distill contaminated water into drinking water or to pull condensation from damp resources in order to produce enough water for consumption.
Solar stills can be a life-saving device if stranded in the desert without water or if lost at sea. This simple device uses the sun to evaporate contaminated water from a collection basin and collect the condensation in another basin. The condensation is essentially distilled and drinkable. It can be done with saltwater and can even be constructed to pull moisture from the ground if water isn't available at all. Solar stills can either be constructed out of simple materials or purchased and used for emergencies.
To learn how to make a solar still in a survival situation or to purchase one in case of emergency, read our detailed article about solar stills here. Disadvantages: Slow and inconvenient, Flat water taste. This is perhaps the most ancient method of purifying water and is still widely used, not just in remote places but also in highly urbanized areas.
Boiling water produces enough heat to kill just about every type of pathogen, making water safer to drink. Applying the laws of pasteurization, a process used to make milk safe to drink, we know that most pathogens will not survive in temperatures above 70 degrees centigrade, provided that the water is boiled long enough EPA, If the water is cloudy, first filter the large contaminants through a clean cloth or coffee filter.
Heat the water and bring it to a boil. Thermometers might not always be readily available, so bubbles are a visual indicator that the water has reached degrees. Let it boil for 1 minute straight. After boiling, let it cool and put the water in a clean container, and cover it so as to avoid recontamination of bacteria and microbes. Boiled water will always have a flat taste. Swishing the water around before drinking or transferring it from one container to another can improve the taste.
Disadvantages: Slow and inconvenient , Free of minerals as well. Distillation is the process of collecting the condensation from evaporated steam and is the most effective way of ensuring that the water will be free of all contaminants.
The process of distilling seawater into drinking water has been used by the Ancient Greeks since about AD Wikipedia. Many cultures throughout history have used distillation as an effective method of ensuring potable water. Although the materials used in the distillation process have changed over time, the science has remained the same, proving that distillation is a purification method that has stood the test of time.
The materials needed to distill water are a boiling pot, a container to collect the condensation, a tube to allow the vapor to travel through, and a heat source.
Once the water begins to boil, the evaporation travels through the tube and collects in the new container. Because contaminants cannot exist in steam form, the "new" water is free of bacteria, viruses, parasites, particles, solvents, and chemicals.
Because distillation is such an efficient process, it rids the water of essential minerals as well as contaminants. These natural minerals can be supplemented simply by adding them or by ensuring a mineral-rich diet.
Home distillation units which sit on the countertop are available for purchase. Typically made of grade stainless steel, most distillation units can distill water at a rate of 4 gallons per day. Read our article on home distillation units for a detailed understanding of how they work and which brands to use. While the methods we've mentioned are certainly the most common and have proven effectiveness, research is being put into other methods that are quickly gaining traction in both private and government sectors.
The EPA states that there are four main types of contaminants to be found in water. The Safe Drinking Water Act SDWA , a federal law that protects public drinking water supplies, defines "contaminant" as anything other than water molecules. We can reasonably expect most drinking water to contain some level of contaminant, especially since minerals such as calcium and magnesium fall into that category.
The question is, which of these contaminants are harmful and how much of it is entering my system? Water is the source of life. Three days without it can cause dehydration.
But with the numerous dangers that may lurk inside it, and not to mention, are invisible to the naked eye, proper precautions cannot be overlooked. With the 8 different methods we've reviewed, all have their own strengths and weaknesses.
Some have stood the test of time and some are revolutionary advances in technology. The best approach would be to utilize multiple methods, ensuring that you and your family are guaranteed the cleanest water possible. Thank you for taking the time to read our article on how to purify water for drinking.
We'd love to hear your feedback in the comments section below. If you've found this article to be useful and are interested in learning more, be sure to sign up for our newsletter. The movement is driven by the energy of the sun and the force of gravity. Here, a simple experiment that you can do at home, it will help you understand how the water cycle helps to purify water.
Related Articles:. My Cart. We are America's leading supplier of high quality drinking water systems and information source. Water and Health. Water Quality. Water Can Heal. Contaminants Facts. Air and Health. It is very easy and straightforward to use. The taste and odor of the water will improve, also gets rid of chlorine present in the water. This method makes sure about the removal of toxins from hard water.
No guarantee over the complete removal of germs from filtered water. The filter used for filtration should be cleaned thoroughly. The cartridges should be disposed of safely without hampering the environment as they contain harmful toxins.
About Sandesh Adhikari Articles. I am Sandesh Adhikari, a dreamer, thinker, researcher and an activist. Easy to kill the microorganisms in household system. Sedimentation is a process of removing solids that lies at the bottom of the surface through gravity. Removal of settable solids can reduce turbidities and make the water more amenable to other treatment methods to reduce microbes Low-cost technology to reduce settable solids and perhaps some microbes for water.
Only settable solids, such as sands, silts, and larger microbes settle efficiently; clays and smaller microbes do not settle; only moderate to low microbe reductions Unreliable method to reduce pathogens; solids are not efficiently removed by settling from some waters; can be labor-intensive.
Chlorination of water.
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