3 Ways to Purify Drinking Water to Avoid Serious Health Risks
Water, water everywhere, not a drop to drink — that’s what this article is all about. This quote perfectly embodies the water crisis on our planet not just from the perspective of it being a limited resource, but also the need to purify drinking water to avoid serious health risks.
We’ve all been taught in school that over two-thirds of Earth is covered in water. Yet only 2.5% of that amount is drinkable. Even that minuscule percentage is further decreased by contaminants and pollutants, bringing the safely drinkable amount even lower.
Perhaps at this stage, you have assumed this article is about access to drinking water in third world countries? Sadly, this is a major issue with approximately 80% of illnesses in the developing world linked to inadequate water and sanitation, which is why access to clean water for everyone is included in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. However, this article is about access to drinking water right here in the UK……
Clearly, as a nation, we are all privileged to have easy access to clean water. But is that water truly ‘clean?’ Should we purify the water that flows easily and cheaply into our homes? The answer is a resounding yes!
In the UK, as in most of the Western world, our bodies are assaulted with toxins every minute of every day. Consider levels of air pollution in the UK and therefore the air we breathe, particularly if we live in urban areas; the chemical toxins in many cleaning and personal care products; toxins in our clothing, carpets and upholstery; toxins in our food; and, yes, potentially toxins in our drinking water.
Whilst each area of the above potentially areas of toxins may, on their own, be considered minimal risk, the toxic overload we are continually subjected to suggests that we should take sensible steps to avoid any intake of toxins. Purifying our drinking water to help us avoid serious health risks clearly makes sense!
It’s a pretty simple procedure to purify water on a small scale. Most people carry it out at home. Unfortunately, it doesn’t remove all of the contaminants from the water but still makes it much safer to drink.
Let’s look at a few of the most common ways to purify water at home.
1. Boiling
Let’s start with possibly the most common way to ‘purify’ water — boiling!
The high temperatures kill most parasites, bacteria, and pathogens, making the water drinkable. It doesn’t solve everything though, much like the other two options in this article.
For instance, heating water to super-high temperatures cannot take away the chemicals from it, e.g., chlorine content.
Moreover, you can’t boil water for an entire community or town, so this solution isn’t scalable. However, it’s still a promising way for families to make sure their drinking water doesn’t harm their well-being.
Preferably, leave the water to boil for several minutes before removing it from the heat. Allow it to cool slightly before pouring into a suitable container, preferably glass, cover and cool completely then place in the fridge if you like chilled drinks, and that’s it!
2. Water filter
Another water purifying solution that’s easier to perform and scale is to install a water filtration system. They come in many types, shapes, and sizes that are ideal for small flats up to large industrial buildings.
Water filters suitable for home use can be connected directly to the taps using countertop and under sink water filters. Other options include free-standing water purifiers that are packed with a selection of minerals or chemicals for water purification.
Most of these free-standing ones come with moss, charcoal, or rocks inside them. The water takes its time getting through these and comes out to have an ‘earthy’ taste to it. It’s clean, safe to drink water though.
You’ll need a special type of filter to get rid of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from your drinking water. These are harmful compounds that can put you at a risk of an impaired immune system or cancer. Potential liver damage is also a risk associated with vocs in water.
To get rid of VOCs in water, your best bet is to get a high-quality carbon filter. Its activated carbon cartridge absorbs VOCs as the water passes through the filter, making it VOC-free.
Note that harmful VOCs are also embedded in our furniture. You can use room purifiers but as this is not a viable option for most people, do consider house plants to help improve indoor air quality.
3. Chemicals / Tablets
Store-bought tablets and chemicals can also purify the water if you don’t have a purifier or water filter installed at home.
Simply pour a sachet of purifying chemicals into the water and they clean it up in a few hours. However, these chemicals don’t have very long shelf lives and may not suit some people well. They are probably useful when you are away from home but are not a viable long-term option.