How to Clean Your Drinking Water

Some potable drinking water still contains contaminants such as chemicals that kill microbes and bacteria. These treatment chemicals may leave behind an unpleasant taste, and many people want to avoid extra exposure to cleansing agents. You may also be concerned about other types of undetected toxins in your water. However, water filtration and purification systems may be able to help you. Here are several common options that you may consider depending on your available resources.

Carbon Filters

Carbon filters clean contaminants from water such as chlorine by passing it through a bed of activated carbon. They also remove heavy metals such as lead, some pesticides, radon, and some bacteria. The bonus is they leave the minerals in the water that are healthy. According to Pure Water Systems, there are several different carbon filters available, including pitchers, under-the-sink filters, faucet mounts, and refrigerator filters. These filters produce fresh-tasting, chemical-free drinking water. It makes a huge difference in the taste of the water itself, as well as the beverages you make with it, such as coffee and tea.

Boiling

Boiling water is the time-tested way to make water safe to drink. It kills bacteria and other pathogens, but does not remove minerals. It does evaporate some chlorine and may improve the taste of the water. If you are at a lower elevation, to boil water until it is safe to drink requires a stove top or fire. After the water reaches a rolling boil, Boil Water Watch advises that it needs to boil for one minute if it’s fairly clean and 10 to 15 minutes if it’s more contaminated or from a more doubtful source. If you are at an altitude of more than 6,500 feet, you need to boil the water for three minutes for cleaner water. This takes time to reach boiling point if you are boiling a large amount of water, so plan accordingly. You will need to take care to remove any obvious contaminates from the water. Also, boiling reduces the amount of water you are purifying because of steam evaporation, so always add more water than you need to allow for loss. 

Ultraviolet Light

Ultraviolet light is very effective for removing bacteria from water. The light penetrates deep inside the pathogens and destroys the microorganisms by attacking their DNA. It is a popular type of water purification because it doesn’t use chemicals such as chlorine or iodine. According to Top Bulb, UV light does not affect the flavor of the water, and is safe for animals, like fish, and plants. It uses very little energy and requires very little maintenance. Since ultraviolet light only kills pathogens but doesn’t remove chlorine or heavy metals, it is often combined with reverse osmosis for complete purification.

If you would like contaminant-free, fresh-tasting water for drinking and other daily uses, but want to avoid adding to the plastic bottle waste problem, a water filtration system is your most practical option. With several types to choose from, you can always have fresh, safe water in your home.