Sara Kline
In most cases, water used for drinking at home does not go through any treatment process. Water from your tap in the United States and other countries that have strict regulations for the quality of their water supply meets these high standards. Water companies in these areas must test their drinking water several times a day to make sure it is healthy. They know that any contamination can significantly impact the lives of hundreds or thousands of customers. To ensure the water is safe, they must add chlorine or another disinfectant to it after treatment. This ensures that the water is not contaminated with microbes.
Chlorine, in small or large doses, can be harmful to the body. It kills microbes in the water supply just as it does in your body. Most city-dwellers install a drinking water filter to remove chlorine and improve taste and odor. An activated carbon filter is all that is needed. However, those who rely on rain or well water and live in countries with lower standards or have serious health problems may benefit from one or more of these water treatment methods. Let’s take a look at the best water treatment method to purify your drinking water at home.
Iodine Tablets Usage Treatment
Iodine tablets are the fastest and most effective way to disinfect water. These tablets can be used in remote areas without electricity. Although the tablets kill Cryptosporidium and Giardia, they do not remove chemicals and other contaminants. This method can be used in an emergency. Wait 1/2 hour before dropping the tablet into the water. Then add vitamin C to improve the taste.
Boiling Treatment
When a Peace Corps volunteer arrives in their host country, they are told to boil the water before drinking it. Boiling effectively kills most microbes and prevents waterborne diseases. This simple method of water purification is safe for people who are healthy and eat well. This is an acceptable method of water purification if you get your water mainly from a well. You can also use a coffee filter to remove particles and improve the taste. If you live in an area where your tap water has been treated, boiling is a good way to make tea.
Distillation Treatment
Water is heated to a boiling point, and the steam is sent to a refrigerator. The refrigerator cools the water and normalizes it. This also kills all the microbes. It has no flavor because it has nothing to taste. This simulates the production of rainwater. This process takes a lot of energy, both to boil and to cool the water. This is a good option if you live in an area with lots of electricity and scarce rainwater.
Ultraviolet Rays Exposure Treatment
This system was developed for hospitals. This system combines a carbon filter with a separate chamber containing a shortwave UV light. Ultraviolet light is highly effective at killing microbes and preventing them from multiplying or causing disease. The carbon filter should be changed every six months. However, the UV lamp only needs to be changed once a year. You can check the voltage of your model to see how much electricity it consumes. This system is ideal for people with severe allergies that cannot be treated with tap water.
