Waterborne diseases can result in 3.4 million deaths annually, making it a leading killer. This explains the need for households to use purified water. Local authorities offer clean and safe water for drinking.
But…
Every household has the responsibility to ensure that the water they use is clean. Homes and workplaces must be fitted with water purifying solutions such as electric water purifiers to ensure that you’ve got clean and safe water for drinking and other purposes.
The methods for purifying water vary to suit the unique needs in every household. Each water purification method has merits and demerits to consider for your specific application. After treating your water, make sure that it’s free from contaminants and safe for use before drinking it.
Ranging from water purifiers to filters, the list is long. Although filtering water is ideal for removing chlorine and sediments, reverse osmosis is among the best options long term. The latter is both time and energy-saving.
Apart from reverse osmosis technology for water purification, here’re 6 effective water purification techniques to help purify your water and make it clean for use:
6 Techniques for Water Purification to Consider for Your Household Use
Filtration
Multimedia filters effectively eliminate contaminant compounds from water, making this among the most reliable techniques for water purification. A combination of physical and chemical processes are utilized to purify water for safe use.
This water purification method removes both large and small compounds, including disease-causing contaminants from water. Based on a simple and fast process of filtration, filters make water safe for human and animal consumption.
Moreover, filters don’t remove all mineral salts, making resulting water healthier than water purified using other techniques. The chemical absorption process effectively eliminates impurities and unwanted compounds from water.
Reverse osmosis is ideal for long-term use in water purification. It’s also popular for producing minimal waste. However, filtration is more effective when there’s a need to selectively remove smaller or molecular compounds such as pesticides and chlorine.
Additionally, filtration doesn’t require as much energy as reverse osmosis and distillation water purification processes, making it cost-effective. Furthermore, little water is wasted or lost during purification.
Boiling
The safest and cheapest way to purify your water is to boil it. Water from various distribution channels or sources are usually contaminated and unsafe for human consumption.
For instance, germs and parasites present in such water can’t be seen with bare eyes, but have life-threatening effects.
Boil water for at least 3 minutes. However, you’ll have to boil it for longer if you live in areas at high altitudes. In lower altitude areas, water boils at higher temperatures and vice versa. Cover the boiled water and let it cool prior to drinking it.
If the water you’ve boiled is from a well or river, let it settle before use to filter out clean water and leave sediments and other impurities at the bottom of the container.
Distillation
This method uses heat to collect purified water as vapor. Scientifically, water has a lower boiling point than disease-causing compounds and other contaminants present in water. Heat water to a boiling point until it vaporizes.
The vapor flows into a condenser for cooling purposes. The vapor condenses into water upon cooling as clean and safe for drinking. The contaminants and compounds that were present in water before boiling remains in the container that was placed on heat as sediments.
Distillation effectively eliminates various contaminants from raw, untreated water. They include:
- Heavy metals such as mercury, lead, and arsenic
- Germs
- Bacteria
- Salts
Some cons of distillation include:
- The water purification process is costly, hence feasible for treating small amounts of water. It isn’t ideal for industrial or commercial water purification.
- It requires a heat source to work
- The purification process is slow
Chlorination
Chlorine has been in use for centuries in water treatment for human consumption in households. The chemical powerful and effective in killing parasites, germs, and other organisms that cause diseases. It’s mainly used to purify tap or groundwater.
Available as liquid chlorine or tablets, chlorination is a cost-effective and effective off-the-shelf solution for purifying water. However, be cautious when treating water for drinking with chlorine to prevent adverse effects of the chemical treatment.
Consult a physician before using this water purification method if you’ve been diagnosed with thyroid problems. Dissolve chlorine tablets in heated water (boiled at a minimum of 210C) before using them in water treatment for enhanced efficacy.
This purification technique kills all germs and bacteria in water, leaving you with clean and safe drinking water. This is an effective water treatment method for large-scale use.
Iodine
Available as a liquid or tablet, iodine is a chemical that’s red in color. It’s powerful enough to kill viruses and bacteria, including other forms of germs found in water. However, it’s fatal if taken in high doses and leaves an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
Opt for iodine water purification if other water purification methods such as electric water purifiers aren’t accessible.
Solar purification
This technique is a perfect alternative for UV filtration. The ultraviolet sun’s radiation is utilized in the water treatment process. Fill a plastic bottle with water and shake it before leaving it out in the sun, placed horizontally. Shaking the bottle activates oxygen in the water.
The UV rays kill viruses, bacteria and other contaminant presents in water to make safe for animal and human consumption.
Conclusion
With water treatment solutions ranging from using filters to chlorination to boiling, you can purify your drinking water in many ways. Weigh out the pros and cons of each method to help you pick the most suitable treatment method.
Reverse osmosis is ideal for eliminating a wide spectrum of germs and contaminants. However, filtering is ideal for simple tasks such as the removal of chlorine and sediments.