The importance of clean water in our lives is right up there with fresh air and nutritious food. While we sometimes take it for granted, pure water is a vital reason behind the normal functioning of our bodies and minds. However, sometimes what we perceive isn’t the absolute truth. The water that comes out of our taps isn’t always well-treated and possibly contains millions of microorganisms. What we might discern as potable water may, in reality, be unsafe and unhealthy.
What is Potable Water?
Potable water refers to water that is safe to consume. The water that flows through your taps is usually treated for contaminations by your local municipality before it reaches your home. But, sometimes the supply is unsafe, and the contaminants go unnoticed. In that case, you may get non-potable water for consumption. While it may taste and smell just fine, unsafe water may contain microorganisms that can make you unwell.
One potential cause for this is untreated water flowing from a polluted lake or river and seeping into your domestic water system. Often, you may not know the safety of water until you have been warned or experienced the consequences yourself. But why would you take the risk?
Regardless of its status, you need to follow a few measures only in order to make sure you consume only potable water from your tap. To assist you, below is a list of four ways to help you get potable tap water in the convenience of your home.
4 Ways to Get Potable Water At Home
Read through and see which method is best to get access to safe tap water at all times.
Boiling the Water
Boiling water is one of the most common measures people use to convert their non-potable water into a potable solution. It’s also the safest way to kill any disease-causing virus, bacteria, and pathogens that may be present.
Many ways can help you boil water before your consumption. You can either use a kettle, a burner, or a microwave for this. Here are the steps that you should follow:
- Pour the tap water into a pot and put it on a heat source.
- Heat the water to a rolling boil.
- If you opt for a microwave, make sure to stir the water to ensure even heat distribution.
- Once heated, place the pot on a surface and let it cool.
- Pour the water it into a clean container for later use.
While boiling eliminates many microbes, it doesn’t remove chemical contaminants. So, if your tap water contains lead or aluminum, you may not be able to drive them off with just boiling.
Use Household Chlorine or Bleach
Most people use chlorine to clean the water in their swimming pools, if you didn’t know already. Likewise, many treatment plants use bleach, also known as household chlorine, to clean water for domestic use.
Bleach contains 4% to 6% of chlorine, and the correct use of this product depends on the concentration of its active ingredient.
To follow this method:
- Pour two drops of household chlorine in one liter of unpurified water.
- Once added, let the mixture rest for at least 30 minutes before consumption.
This measure is the standard for cleaning water directly consumed from bodies like lakes and rivers. It is also quite efficient to remove many harmful substances found in tap water.
Bleach can eliminate viruses and bacteria. But for some impurities, you may require to extend the waiting period. For instance, to remove the Norovirus, you will have to wait for an hour before the water is potable enough to drink.
Install a Water Purification Filter
Nothing can eliminate contaminants better than a compatible water filter. From RO systems to whole house water filters, there are many options available for you to install in your house. Many households trust an excellent filtration system for their potable water consumption.
But, you need to be careful when choosing the right filter. It should meet all your requirements depending on the state of your current tap water.
Also, to ensure your filter stays for long and works effectively, you should maintain and replace it often. For instance, changing the filter stages of a whole house filter after every six months is essential for a consistent flow of safe water in your house.
Besides, it is vital to clean your purifying unit at least twice a week to remove any accumulated residues.
Follow the Iodine Treatment
While iodine is famous for fighting against thyroid-related problems, it is also pretty effective in purifying water. Iodine kills microorganisms, and you can use it in the form of tablets, tinctures, or crystals.
To benefit from an iodine treatment:
- Add this substance to a bowl of tap water
- Mix it well and allow the water to sit for at least 30 minutes
- After the iodine is fully absorbed, consume it whenever you can.
While it is quite a popular treatment, iodine is not safe for kids and pregnant women. So, use this method as a last resort to purify your tap water.
In Conclusion
You may experience many instances when your tap water has harmful substances like lead, metals, and chemicals. If detected, don’t wait and contact a water technician as soon as you can. Also, don’t hesitate to let your local municipality know about the problem.
May you enjoy potable tap water all your life!
Also read: Tips to Deep Clean Your New Home Before Moving in
