Most of us take our water for
granted. We are fortunate to have comprehensive systems in place such as
municipal water purification facilities to
remove all of the unwanted and unsafe substances before it finds its way to our
taps.
Guest post by Michelle Evans
But, what if we found ourselves
in an environment where clean water wasn’t always a guarantee, such as out in
the wilderness, or in a rural area that relies on well water? Or, worse yet,
what if our facilities or the commercial piping systems that transported our
water failed? How would we ensure our water was clean?
What Makes Water Unsafe To Drink?
Not all substances found in
drinking water are dangerous. Some just affect the taste of the water, but
don’t cause harm to our bodies. Other substances are much more serious and
should be completely removed before water is consumed.
Microorganisms
The number one threat to safe
drinking water is microorganisms that can cause sickness such as dysentery,
typhoid, giardiasis, diarrhea, and much more.
Nitrates/Nitrites
Another important contaminant to
be aware of is nitrates such as fertilizers, which can reduce blood’s ability
to carry oxygen. This condition is especially harmful to children. Agricultural
runoff is more prevalent in rural areas that pull water from individual wells,
but urban areas are not free from exposure. Agricultural runoff into local
streams and rivers can have a far reaching effect on the quality of water in
various municipal areas.
Heavy Metals
A pollutant commonly found in
degrading pipe systems is heavy metals which are harmful to humans in large
quantities. Drinking water contaminated by heavy metals such as arsenic,
copper, and lead can result in damage to vital organs such as the liver and
kidneys.
Chemical Contaminants
Similar in health effects to
heavy metals, organic chemicals found in household products, fertilizers, and
pharmaceuticals can easily access groundwater, making it unsafe to drink if
high levels are present. Chemicals affect the body’s nervous system,
reproductive system, circulatory system, kidneys, and liver’s ability to
operate.
Some chemicals such as bleach and
fluoride are deliberately added by water treatment facilities. Chlorine is used to kill harmful
microorganisms. Fluoride is used to strengthen teeth enamel. Both of these
substances in the wrong quantities can be harmful to your health.
How To Keep Your Water Safe
There are several ways to ensure
the water you’re drinking in safe. Some are simple. Some are a little more
complicated. Follow these steps, and your method for keeping water safe will be
foolproof.
1. Test Your Water
Before you can treat your water
effectively, you need to know what’s in it that can put your health at risk.
Water testing kits are available at home improvement stores and online. Many
retailers will provide a testing kit free of charge. The best kits test for a
large variety of contaminants such as heavy metals (lead, copper, iron),
bacteria, pesticides, nitrates and nitrates, and chemicals such as chlorine.
2. Choose The Purification Method Based On Your Test Results
Microbial Contamination
If your test indicates your water
is contaminated with harmful microorganisms, you can employ a few methods for
getting rid of them. The easiest way is boiling. Rapidly boil any water you
intend to drink or bathe in for at least one minute.
Iodine or Chlorine is another
effective way to rid your drinking water of microorganisms. Iodine tablets are
commonly used in the wilderness as an easy way to purify water. Bleach is more
widely used in municipal water treatment facilities to make water safe to drink
Chemical Contamination
Activated carbon filters that
attach to your sink faucet or used in a water pitcher can trap harmful
chemicals found in factory discharge, agriculture runoff, PVC pipe leaching,
landfill seepage, etc. The activated carbon traps pollutants in the pores of
the carbon substrate. Activated carbon filters also remove chlorine and
sediment.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) is another
effective method for removing chemicals that are commonly used in households
that access water from a well. RO filters push water from a more chemical
concentrated side to a less chemical concentrated side through a particle
capturing screen. RO can remove microorganisms, chemicals, and some metals
effectively.
Heavy Metals
Low levels of heavy metals can be
removed through carbon filters or reverse osmosis, depending on the type of
metal and the severity of the contamination. Reverse osmosis membranes can
quickly become clogged from heavy metal filtration. Other, more industrial
methods, use a substance to adhere to the metals and pull them out.
New technology is on the horizon
making heavy metal extraction more efficient and cost effective using polymer
composites to pull out lead, mercury, and other dangerous metals. These new
methods could have clear implications on our ability to more quickly clean up
water in municipalities suffering from decrepit water piping systems that seep
lead into drinking water.
3. Test Your Water Again
You want to make sure whatever
method you’re using to purify your water is doing an adequate job. You may need
to combine methods depending on the nature of the contamination. Once you’ve
purified your water, and before you begin to drink it, test it to ensure it is
completely safe.
