Water is essential to life, but not all water is created equal. Even the healthiest reusable water bottle doesn't help if the water in it isn't pure.
The tap water supplied to your home may be clean and certified as safe to drink, and it's certainly better than bottled water. But it can still contain contaminants that might lead to health issues in some people.
In fact, 94% of tap water samples in the US were found to contain plastic fibers, which is a horrifying thought!
So, if you're not 100% happy with the quality of your tap water, you might be wondering, how can I naturally purify water at home?
You're not alone. I get asked that question a lot.
In this article, you'll learn how to ensure the water you consume is safe and reduce your exposure to impurities.
Contents
Water purification is essential for keeping your drinking and cooking water safe.
Filtration and purification are two essential steps to ensure your water is free of impurities.
Filtration involves passing your water through a physical barrier (such as a filter) to remove any particles that may be present.
This can help remove large particulate matter, like sediment or dirt, but it will not remove pathogens, dissolved metals, or chemical contaminants.
Purification goes one step further by using methods such as distillation, reverse osmosis, UV radiation, or chlorine disinfection to kill bacteria and other microorganisms that cause diseases.
These methods also help remove unwanted nasties from the water (such as heavy metals), making drinking healthier and more pleasant.
Whether you just want to improve the quality of your municipally supplied tap water, or you're into extreme camping and need to purify swamp water (and most situations in between), these top tips will help keep you hydrated and healthy.
Boiling is one of the most effective methods for purifying water.
It's easy, quick, and can be done with any flame-resistant container.
Boiling will not filter out any particles from your water or remove chemical contaminants (such as heavy metals and pesticides), but it will kill off bacteria and other microorganisms that cause diseases.
Water filter pitchers are a cost-effective way to filter heavy metals and sediment from tap water.
These pitchers contain a filter that removes any suspended particulates from the water, as well as reduces chlorine taste and odor.
A filtering pitcher in your refrigerator is a simple way to enjoy daily chilled filter water.
Purifying water with tablets or drops is a great way to make sure your drinking water is safe and free of contaminants.
Products such as iodine tablets and drops contain chemicals that kill microorganisms, such as bacteria, parasites, and viruses.
Tablets and drops are effective at killing harmful organisms in your drinking water without adding any unwanted tastes or odors, making it an easy solution when you don't have access to more advanced purification systems like reverse osmosis or UV.
Reverse osmosis is a process that uses pressure to force water through a semipermeable membrane to remove contaminants and impurities.
The membrane only allows specific molecules, such as pure water, to pass through it while rejecting others, such as salt, bacteria, and organic compounds.
While it requires more equipment than other purification methods, setting up reverse osmosis at home can be done relatively quickly.
UV light kills bacteria and other pathogens that may be present in the water, leaving it safe for drinking, cooking, and other forms of consumption.
You'll need the following:
Before starting the purification process, removing any large particulates from the water is essential.
You can do this by passing the water through a coffee filter, cloth filter, or filter pitcher.
Once your water is filtered, it's time to set up your UV light system.
You'll need to attach the UV lamp and connecting cables according to manufacturer instructions and place it over the top of the container or tank filled with filtered water.
Ensure no exposed wires or other objects could lead to electric shock when using lighting equipment near water.
Also, do not touch any exposed metal parts when handling the equipment, which may lead to accidental electrocution.
Now you're ready to start treating your water with ultraviolet light.
To do this, turn on the power supply for your UV light system and set a timer for 30 minutes if one isn't already provided with your unit.
After 30 minutes have elapsed, test your water's purity with a test kit. If it's not pure enough to drink, stir it and repeat step 3.
Activated charcoal is an excellent option for eliminating unwanted tastes and odors from drinking water.
To use activated charcoal, you'll need to purchase it in powder or granular form. You can also buy ready-made filters that contain activated charcoal.
Once you have your supplies, follow the on-pack instruction to purify your water.
You can also use activated charcoal to filter the air in your home by placing it near windows or vents to absorb odors.
The SODIS method is an effective and widely used water purification method that relies on sunlight's power to eliminate harmful microorganisms.
To use this solar water disinfection method, fill a large container with contaminated water and place it in direct or indirect sunlight for at least six hours or up to two days. The UV radiation from the sun will kill any pathogens in the water.
Once the allotted time has passed, your water should be free from harmful bacteria or viruses and safe to drink.
Before consuming, be sure to strain out any debris (and use a test kit to confirm purity).
Purifying water can be as simple as using what you have at home.
Mrs. M also swears by a combination of cilantro and banana peel, but I can't stomach the taste! 🤢
Ideal for traveling overseas and camping trips, travel sediment filters are a convenient way to purify your water on the go.
Travel sediment filters remove large particulates from contaminated water and trap them in a mesh filter.
The clean filter water can then be transferred into another container for cooking or drinking (boiling first if needed).
Water purification is vital to maintaining health and safety, but it doesn't have to be expensive.
All you need is the following:
Make two holes in the bottom of one of your ceramic pots using a sharp object like an awl or nail.
These will act as drainage holes once you've completed your filtration system.
Take your cloth or filter material and use it to line the inside of your pot (secured with a rubber band if necessary). This will act as your first layer of filtration within the pot.
Put this lined pot on top of the second pot with no holes in it. This will be where the filtered water collects.
Once you have everything set up, pour your dirty water source into your ceramic pot setup, making sure that only clean water passes through your filter material before draining into the second pot below it.
Once all the water has filtered through, open up the drainage holes at the bottom of your lined pot to drain out all remaining sediment and impurities.
Then collect filter water from inside your second pot, free from contaminants.
Yep. You read that right. Bleach!
Before adding bleach to your water, you must measure the chlorine concentration to be within a safe range.
To do this, measure out two tablespoons of 5-6% unscented liquid chlorine bleach for every gallon of water you plan to purify.
Once you've correctly measured your chlorine bleach, mix it with the water in a clean container such as a pot or bucket (try not to use plastic containers).
Stir the mixture thoroughly until all of the bleach has been incorporated into the water.
Now let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes so the chlorine can effectively sanitize the water.
After 30 minutes, check that the water has an odor similar to a swimming pool.
If it has, your water has been successfully purified. If it hasn't, keep rechecking every five minutes until it has.
To double-check that your water has been appropriately purified, check its color.
Properly treated water should appear clear and not cloudy or murky.
If there's still cloudiness after treating the water with bleach, let it sit for another 15 minutes before checking again.
You can also use a testing kit for further purity verification.
The EPA regulates municipal tap water, and, on the whole, it does an excellent job.
While many tap water sources are generally safe to drink, contaminants such as bacteria, parasites, and heavy metals can still be present in the drinking water of many US homes (Flint, Michigan, for example), and you might want to purify it further.
Another reason you might want to purify your water is if you're traveling overseas or camping.
In many countries, tap water isn't safe to drink and doesn't meet US EPA standards for drinking water quality.
And if you plan on spending time outdoors or camping, purified water is a must.
Using some of the more portable methods mentioned in this article (tablet, drops, boiling, etc.), you can avoid the hassle of lugging heavy jugs of water and can instead efficiently purify your own water.
Before you can filter and purify water, you need to find it.
You can acquire emergency water from freshwater surface sources such as creeks, streams, and lakes. Even mildly salty water is an option if distilled correctly beforehand!
And don't forget rain, snow, sleet, hail, and dew. All of which can be collected for drinking.
Water from springs and other underground sources is generally safe in most places.
Finally, drinking water obtained directly from tapped trees like maple and birch can be reliable and abundant during late winter.
Knowing how to find and purify water might save your life one day.
The same goes for always carrying an emergency survival kit when camping, hiking, fishing, etc.
I like to make up my own in a large waterproof resealable bag. Some of the essentials I take include:
The three main processes for achieving pure water are physical (such as filtration), biological (such as active carbon filters), and chemical (such as chlorination and the use of ultraviolet light).
Boiling is one of the oldest methods to purify water. Through boiling, the process of pasteurization can be achieved to kill bacteria and other organisms that are present in the water. A rolling boil effectively improves the taste and smell of the water and reduces the risk of potential contamination. The disadvantage is that it requires a heat source, which can be costly or inconvenient in certain situations.
No. Check out this article for more details.
No. A high-quality eco-friendly reusable water bottle will serve you (and the planet) better than plastic bottles. You can find the best ones here.
Purifying water at home or on the go is a necessary survival skill, and knowing how to do it can be a lifesaver.
Using chlorine bleach or other purification methods such as tablets, drops, boiling, filtering with a LifeStraw, and even collecting water from trees are all viable options for keeping your drinking water safe and free of contaminants.
Finally, don't forget to carry an emergency survival kit with you when outdoors to ensure your safety and well-being should the unthinkable happen.
I hope you've found this article useful. Stay safe and hydrated!
Are you happy with the quality of your tap water? Or do you filter water from your tap and store it in your refrigerator? Do you have a favorite water purification process for cleaning contaminated water at home or in nature? Drop me a line and let me know.
