Purifying water to make it drinkable means eliminating waste and organisms that are harmful to health: bacteria, parasites, fungi, viruses and impurities. There are several methods to purify water, some of which can be developed at home. Having a water purification system at home is a way to save money by not buying bottled water and caring for the environment.
In this ecology article, we will see some methods about How to purify water at home to drinkfrom filters and methods used for centuries to the use of totally natural chemicals.
Disinfect water to drink with filtration systems
The Methods based on water filtration They are widely used worldwide and very effective. These methods are based on placing a filter by which we managed to separate the microorganisms that can be found in the water. They are lasting, simple and effective methods.
Filters used should be changed from time to time and can be of different materials: ceramic, activated carbon, cloth or sand. The ceramic filter has a very fine pore, although it can develop microorganisms on it, while activated carbon has the ability to eliminate chlorine, bad smell and unpleasant flavors.
These are the different Filtration systems to purify water to drink at home:
Filter cartridges
It consists of the installation of a filter holder at the water outlet and one or more filters on the path. The installation is done by simple fixation and its maintenance is simple, you just have to change the filters when they are saturated.
These systems can be installed directly in the tap (it must be changed from 3 to 6 months) or under the sink. The filtration system under the sink has many advantages, since it works continuously, without noise and connects directly to the water outlet pipe.
Filter jugs
This jug has a capacity between two and five liters. If we use this method, it is convenient to change the filters monthly and clean the inside of the jug with water without impurities.
Osmotizers
The osmotizer is the most effective system, since it manages to eliminate 99% of bacteria, viruses and other harmful elements. The process is to separate the harmful substances by pressure against a semipermeable porous membrane. However, its greatest inconvenience is that it can eliminate mineral salts from water and maintain lime content, so water can be subsequently remineralized. The osmotizer assembly is made from a kit in the sink. System maintenance consists of changing the membrane every two years and filters annually.
For more information, consult this other ecology article on how to make a homemade water filter.
How to purify water homely
Boil the water to purify it to drink It is the most traditional and ancient way to do it. By boiling the water during 15 or 30 minutesit is possible to eliminate almost entirely to the microorganisms that can live in the water, although there are microorganisms that even resist 120ºC temperatures. After boiling the water, we will let it cool before throwing it into the bottle (especially if it is glass, since it can explode by the high temperature).
However, one of the inconveniences of this method is to lose a high concentration of mineral salts due to water evaporation.
How to purify the tap water with the sun with the sun
The ultraviolet radiation o UV rays manage to eliminate microorganisms because they directly affect their DNA, causing mutations that cause their death or preventing them from reproducing and infecting. Therefore, it is a method that takes place in nature. For example, when rivers have a suitable water to drink it is thanks to this natural process.
This method of exposure to UV rays to purify can also be used at home. You just have to place the water in a transparent container and with a lid and leave it all day in the sun, at night or the next day you can drink. To this Method to purify water at home to drink It is also called Sodis method.
Water treatment with natural chemicals: chlorine and iodine
Two of the most effective chemical elements when purifying water are chlorine and iodine. Currently, there are some available on the market chlorine and/or iodine dioxide pills They serve to purify water.
The method is simple, you just have to fill a water bowl and add a pill. This pill will have its effect in a period between 30 minutes and 4 hours, depending on the amount of water, leaving the completely potable water. A amount of chlorine can also be added to the water, usually no more than three drops per liter. Although it is advisable to let the water rest for at least one hour after applying this method.
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