How to Make Water Safe for Drinking at Home

In the past, water sources were actually clean and people could easily get potable water (safe drinking water) without stress. However, things have changed and a lot of water bodies are facing very extreme pollution. Many of us now have the same question “How to make water safe for drinking at home”.

Thanks to scientific research, the quest for clean drinkable water has paid off as there are now devices and methods via which water can be purified. Using these ideas, the local authorities and industries can make healthy water available for public and private use. The government is not left out as they have enacted regulations guiding the supply of hygienically clean water.

But how about the home front? Getting your water decontaminated right in your house is possible. Sure it is! We have put together some tips that can help you make water safe for drinking at home.

Engage a Water Filter System

One of the methods of getting clean water is via filtration. No special instructions are required for this technique. The beauty of filtration is that it is trending and there are several types and brands of water filters on the market.

That water comes from a tap doesn’t mean that it is clear and clean. It could be housing dirt, bacteria, and viruses. A proper filter is designed to carry a regular, activated charcoal in a circular frame. It is this carbon material that attracts the pollutants as the water moves and takes them off, producing only pollutant-free water.

About 81 compounds can be extracted from water using filters. Again, it can remove 12 types of herbicides and at least 14 herbicides. How about unpleasant smell? These filters can extract bad smell from tap water.

If you want the water filtration system to last a long time, replacement of the inner filter is advised. Should you be using a large model filter, the inner filter should be changed every 6 months - don’t forget that. Should it be a small water filter that you’re using, replace them more often.

Just like we said earlier, there is a range of water filter from small, medium to large. For travelers and campers, the small water filter can be fitted to your backpack when on the go. You can use this to treat any water you get from surface waters like stream, river or lake.

Whole House Water Filter

A lot of homes consider filters as the optimum water decontamination method. For instance, the whole house water filter can protect the entire building water supply, making sure that at the sink, shower, taps, and every other water outlet, very clean water is supplied.

With a water filter, you may not spend so much money, although it depends on the type you choose. However, the device is flexible, easy to use, and can last for years if proper maintenance is given to it.

Under Sink Water Filter

In some homes, instead of using a filter for the entire water supply, the under sink water filter may come in handy. This one works by treating the water as it flows through the sink tap. It is usually attached to the water pipe under the sink, so as you open the tap, clean and fresh water flows out.

Refrigerator water filters

As the name implies, refrigerator water filter is carbon activated filter and takes out impurities in water gotten from the fridge. There are different sizes and brands of this filter. You can be sure of cold, toxic-free water from the refrigerator when you use this filter type. It has to be replaced regularly as contaminants may flow back into your water if the filter is packed full with dirt.

Pitcher Water Filter

Another splendid remedy for contaminated water which can be used at home is the filter pitcher. These well-designed water pitchers come with filters that purify water as you pour it out in a glass or cup. Using this method, you don’t need to bother yourself with heating up the water or running a penlight around it. Just get the drinking water into the pitcher and serve - of course very clean water is what you’ll get.

There are some of the best Pitcher water filters on the market. It all depends on how much you plan to spend, and what you need.

Use Household Chlorine or Bleach

A lot of the time, chlorine is used to clean swimming pools, but water treatment plants also purify water with this substance though in little quantity. To make pure your drinking water, you can use bleach (household grade chlorine) as it contains 4 to 6 percent of chlorine. You need to know how much active ingredient a cleaner contains to determine what quantity should be added to water.

In application, for every liter of water, add 2 drops of scented bleach. 8 drops will be suitable for a gallon of water. After adding, let the mixture stand for 30 minutes. Your drinking water is clean!

Toxic substances in water sources like groundwater and surface water can be ideally treated with this method.

Bear in mind that for other impurities apart from bacteria and most viruses, more time will be needed for a proper decontamination. For instance, a microbe like Norovirus requires a waiting time of 1 hour before using the water. A minimum of 45 minutes is needed to cleanse water of giardia.

In addition, consider using a chlorine tablet to detoxify water. It takes 30 to 45 minutes for this substance to get rid of viruses and bacteria. Should you be planning a trip especially to places without safe drinking water, it is ideal to use these pills as they require no measurement. You can put some in your backpack while on the go.

Apply the Reverse Osmosis System

Here, water is made clean by passing it through a semi-permeable system with so much pressure. During the movement, pollutants in water are removed. This method is called reverse osmosis because of the presence of external pressure. A typical osmosis system involves the movement of lower concentration solution to a higher concentration solution. However, when pressure comes into the picture, the process is changed - higher concentration solution moves to lower concentration solution.

Should you use a semi-permeable membrane for this; the filter will produce only clean water while holding back impurities. Molecules of contaminants are screened out during RO and as such it’s effective for removal of bacteria, sediments, minerals, and viruses.

Several establishments including military units and treatment plants use this water filtration system. Even you can have a smaller RO setup in your home for water purification. However, it is a little bit pricey and demands routine maintenance. In all, it’s an effective system.

Purify Water by Boiling

This is one natural water purification method. The process is simple. Just put a container of water over a source of heat. Both those in remote places and big cities utilize this technique to remove impurities from water.

At a temperature above 70°c, boiling water can kill any kind of microbes. To effectively perform this method, pour the water onto a clean cloth or coffee filter with a bowl underneath. This will remove large particles from the water.


Proceed to heat the filtered water until it boils - at least 60 seconds. But you may have to boil your water for 3 minutes if you live in an area above 5,000ft. Get a clean container, pour the heated water into it, and cover with a lid to prevent dirt, dust, and germs from entering. Prior to drinking, shake the container a little to make better the water taste. Again, you can change the water flavour by pouring it into another container.

Distillation

You can also distill water to make it safe for consumption. Basically, this method involves collecting evaporated steam. People consider it a premium method of extracting contaminants from water. Based on this, it is a popular technique practised by persons all around the world. To carry out this treatment, you need a heat source, cooking pot, a tube the steam will pass through, and a container to collect the heated vapour.

Simply heat the water, and the steam will move via the tube and collect in the bowl. Pollutants and pathogens cannot live in steam, so this water will be clean.

A drawback to this method is that it can kill important salts and minerals in the water. To balance this, you may have to add some supplements, or eat foods packed with minerals.

Use a UV Light Purifier

This approach is straightforward. The purifier is a light designed in the shape of a pen, with a water bottle form. To use this method, first remove the sediments from your water by passing it through a clean cloth or coffee filter. It is important to take out all the large particles else this technique may fail.

Switch on the light and place it in the water. Follow the instructions on the manual, move the light around the water for the stipulated time. Remove the purifier. Your water is ready for drinking.

Lodine treatment

Harmful water microbes can be eliminated at cellular levels using iodine which is also effective against thyroid problem. This substance is available in form of a liquid, tablet, tincture, and crystal.

Giardia is also removed from iodine treated water particularly when allowed to stand for at least 50 minutes. However, a parasite like cryptosporidium may not die using this method of water treatment.

As a tincture, apply 2 drops of iodine into a quarter of drinking water. For cloudy water, apply 10 drops in each quarter. Let the water sit for at least 30 minutes prior to use.

If it is iodine in tablet or crystal form, follow the instructions on the packaging. In many cases, a 2,000 quart of water can be treated with a container of crystal iodine. The tablet form of iodine is compatible with travelling.

Always store iodine in a dark bottle due to its sensitivity to light. Generally, iodine treated water shouldn’t be used by pregnant women, children, and those having thyroid issues. Based on this, iodine should be your last resort when considering at-home water purification solutions.

Filtered Water Means Happier Life

With the above mentioned tips, Swift Green Filters has answered your question "How to make water safe for drinking at home". Choosing a medium for making your water potable depends on your need. Filtered water ensures a happier life. You should buy a water filter that is certified by IAPMO to meet the NSF/ANSI standards. It ensures you are always getting access to pure, clean and healthy water for you and your family. We carry a huge range of affordable water filtration products includes refrigerator water filters, under sink water filters, pitcher water filters and carbon block filters etc.