Boiling is the most effective and simplest way to purify water. It kills all organisms, even those that cannot be removed by filtration such as giardia and cryptosporidium (the two biggest causes of stomach flu). Boiling water doesn’t take long; the time varies depending on how much you’re boiling and at what elevation you’re at.
How to Purify Tap Water by Boiling
The following steps will show you how to boil water for purification.
Bring the water to boiling point
This is an easy procedure. You can do this by placing a heat source under a container of unwrapped, clean drinking water and allowing it to come up to a hard boil. If your container has a lid, remove it carefully as you don’t want a large rush of steam to escape.
Allow it to cool
Once the water has boiled for several minutes, allow the container to stand until it has returned to room temperature. If you have a lid handy, put it back on for later use.
Check the taste
Before you drink your water, you should allow it to cool again. Once the container has returned to room temperature, test the flavor of your water by pouring a small amount on your tongue. It should be free or mostly free of any strange odors or tastes. If it still seems contaminated, repeat this process until the water is safe to drink.
Store your water
If your water is now safe for consumption, pour it into sealable bottles so you can store it for later use. Keep in mind that if possible, you should try to boil or purify the water every few days to ensure the good bacteria stays alive.
Prepare for emergency situations
Always have a large stock of bottled water on hand for emergencies. You can buy these ahead of time and keep them in storage until they’re needed, or you can purify your own tap water using the information provided here to be prepared at a moment’s notice.
What if it doesn’t work?
If after following all these steps, you feel as though your water still isn’t safe to drink, you have two options. You can take your chances with the water or look for another source of clean drinking water nearby.
Other Ways of Purifying Water by Boiling
After combining your ingredients together, cover the pot and allow the mixture to simmer until the water is clear. You may have to do this more than once depending on how dirty your water is and what you’re using to purify it. You can also simmer and add several pinches of baking soda and the white foam will cause heavy particles to sink to the bottom, making them easier to strain out.
Coffee filters are also useful for absorbing sediment. Simply pour the water through a clean coffee filter to strain out any particles that may be in the water.
Household bleach can also purify dirty or cloudy water by killing off bacteria, viruses and protozoa which could make you sick if consumed. Just add 5 drops of unscented bleach (4-6% sodium hypochlorite) to one litre of clear water in a transparent bottle and seal it. After ten minutes, the water should be safe for consumption.
Reasons to purify water by boiling
Boiling water can be used to destroy dangerous germs such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa that may be present in contaminated water if used correctly. Contaminated water consumption might result in diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration, tiredness nausea and stomach discomfort.
To destroy 99.99 percent of bacteria in the world, water must reach a temperature of 75 degrees Celsius, according to the UN. Those living at higher elevations with a height of 1.791 metres or more will have to boil their water for twice as long as those living at lower levels. Fortunately, it’s not much longer before you’ll have clean water.
How long does it take to boil water to purify for drinking?
Animals that are not visible to the human eye might be found in a mountain stream. One could also become ill. Plants had entered the pipes after months of stagnation in the cottage’s water supply. We read the short story for 40 minutes before ending it.
Considerations
Before boiling, cloudy water must be filtered so that you don’t ingest any of the dirt. Household equipment like cups filters, papers towels, or a funnel and cotton may be used to filter water. Remember that you may still consume the boiling pot in order to be sure it is safe to drink. To become clear, the water will be filtered as often as possible. Without removing any tiny illnesses that may be present in the water vapor, the water filter may not be removed or destroyed.
Comparing boiled and filtered water
Filtered water is healthier for us and has a number of advantages in addition to boiled water. Because lead and chlorine remain contaminants after boiling, it is not always necessary to completely purify water. You may also purify water at each kitchen faucet using a home water filter. A countertop filter is the ideal method to clean tap water in the kitchen, although it’s possible under the sink.
How to purify water from bacterial contamination
Bring a pan of water to a rolling boil (212 °F) and wait about one minute. Reduce the heat and let the water cool before using it with your mouth, whether when drinking, preparing food, or brushing it. It takes approximately 30 minutes for food to cool once boiled. You may be tempted to boil more food in one sitting due to this. It’s also critical to remember that if you plan on utilizing the boiled water for basic tasks such as laundry or washing fruits and vegetables, hand-wash the dishes, one at a time.
Check out our posts here as well on How to Fit A Boiling Water Tap and How Do Boiling Water Taps Work.
Conclusion
There are many ways to purify water that you find on the streets or in the mountains. Although boiling is not always necessary, it’s an effective way to clean water of germs and bacteria. When using it, make sure the pan you use has a thick bottom so that it can heat evenly and quickly.