3 Best Tricks to Purify Water 

Although water seems to be readily available in ponds, streams, rivers, lakes, and even the ocean, not all water is potable water. The term potable water refers to water that’s clean enough for you to use to do simple tasks like brushing your teeth and preparing your food. It’s also water that’s clean enough for you to drink. When you explore the outdoors and you’re enjoying the beautiful wilderness that surrounds you, it can be an incredibly cleansing experience.

However, you need to plan ahead for your water needs. Aside from inquiring ahead of time about the area where you will be spending time outdoors, you can also learn how to purify your water. Even if the water looks crystal clear, you don’t know that it’s safe to drink. It’s always better to purify it to prevent illnesses or worse. The best tricks to purify water include boiling it, disinfecting it with UV light, or disinfecting it with chemicals.

3 Best Tricks to Purify Water

1. Boil It

After filtering the water you’ve collected, you can purify it by boiling it. When you boil water, you are killing any organisms that would cause disease. This could be a parasite, bacteria, or a virus. How long you boil your water to disinfect it depends on your elevation. If you are anywhere below 6,500 feet, you only need to boil it for one minute. However, if you’re higher than 6,500 feet, extend your boiling time to three minutes. After this process, it’s safe to use and consume.

2. Disinfect With UV Light

If you’re unable to boil your water, you may be able to use UV light to kill any waterborne organisms. You need to ensure the contact time is efficient when it comes to using a UV light. You have to treat the water long enough in order to ensure that the water is safe to drink. Be sure to check the product’s instructions to confirm that you are following through with the appropriate protocol.

3. Disinfect With Chemicals

Chemical disinfection is another method you can use to purify water. Typically, chemical disinfection is achieved using liquid drops or tablets with the proper chemicals. Some of the disinfection agents that you may see include chlorine dioxide and iodine. Like with a UV light, make sure that you’re abiding by the manufacturer’s instructions because the time it takes to disinfect your water may vary depending on the type of products are using. Sometimes it could be as little as 30 minutes but other times it may take as long as four hours.

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