12 Ways to Purify Water at Home

What type of water do you drink? Is it from the tap, bottled, harvested rainwater, or from a well? Most people rely on either tap or bottled water, but these may not be as safe as you assume. 

Tap water may contain bacteria and chemical additives you don’t want to get in your body. Similarly, bottled water is usually not 100% pure, as there is no way of knowing how old the water is, where it’s come from, what chemicals were used in its production process, and if it has been accurately labeled. 

Rainwater and groundwater are usually free of chemical additives, but they may contain sediments and harmful pathogens that need to be filtered before consumption.

So why not invest in a home water purifying system? This way, regardless of where you source your water, you can ensure it’s safe to drink. 

In the past, we have covered different uses of rainwater at home and how to purify water at home, but in this article, we will cover the benefits of water purification and how you can purify water at home. 

Why you Should Purify Water at Home? 

To put it simply, purified water is healthier, tastes better, and is free of harmful pathogens. The type of filter determines how it will be treated. But generally, it is better to purify your water before using it. 

Although people often view tap water and bottled water as safe to drink, they may be causing serious harm to our bodies. Water from the tap contains fluoride, heavy metals, and toxins produced by bacteria. And bottled water may contain microplastics and chemicals used to clean the water.

Additionally, rainwater and groundwater are free of microplastics and toxic chemical additives found in public sources of water. However, they may contain sediments and pathogens that need to be removed before being safe to drink. 

Below, we will jump into different methods for purifying your water at home.

12 Ways to Purify Water at Home

The following are the 12 ways how you can purify your water at home to ensure that it is safe for consumption:

Boiling Water

Boiling water kills any bacteria and parasites present in it. Ensure you heat the water to a temperature of about 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100  Celsius) for about 10 minutes to sterilize it. Once the water is sterilized, you can drink it. Boiling water is beneficial since it soothes the nasal congestion in your breathing system, easing coughs and sore throat. 

Despite being effective for removing bacteria and parasites, boiling water does not remove heavy metals and chemical additives in the water. Additionally, boiling water will change the taste of the water, making it taste flat.

Ceramic Filter

Ceramic filters are made of clay which is highly effective in separating contaminants from the water. Clay can filter toxins such as aluminum, lead, and chlorine from the water, making it healthy for consumption. No chemicals are used in the manufacturing process of clay water filters. Ceramic filters come in many shapes and sizes; you can get a whole ceramic filter or simply use ceramic filtration candles and include it in a gravity filter system. 

This is our personal favorite filtration method since it involves very few chemicals, and clay is super effective in removing dangerous metals.

Related Article: Pros and Cons of Ceramic Water Filters

Related Article: 6 Best Ceramic Water Filtration Systems

Related Article: DIY Guide: How to Make Ceramic Water Filters

Chemical Treatment Tablets

Iodine and chlorine tablets, when added to water, dissolve and produce small amounts of chemicals, which helps disinfect water. They work by producing a residual in the water that kills pathogens. 

However, chemical tablets cannot kill all parasites like cryptosporidium, nor does it remove sediments from the water. This method should be reserved for emergencies once other methods of treating water have been exhausted. 

Desalination

This is a technique that involves the removal of salt, minerals, and other dissolved substances from seawater. It involves two processes, thermal and membrane, both high-efficient technologies that are tried and tested to produce water with fewer minerals and salts. Water that has undergone desalination can be used for agricultural purposes, especially for people living close to areas experiencing severe droughts. 

Since desalination removes essential minerals from the water, it may cause an electrolyte imbalance. So, you will need to find alternative sources for potassium and other essential minerals normally found in water. 

Also, the water will not be as flavorful since it lacks minerals, which often make water more flavorful.

Distillation

This method involves evaporation and collection of condensed water, free of all impurities. Contaminated water is boiled in a closed or open container. The steam that emanates from the boiling water is then collected, and the impurities remain behind to produce clean drinking water. It works because the boiling temperature of contaminated water makes it unlikely for pathogens to survive.

Since vitamins and minerals are removed in the distillation process, distilled water has very little taste, and it absorbs the flavor of its container. Additionally, distilled water may cause an electrolyte imbalance because of the lack of minerals. So you will need to find an alternative source of sodium and potassium.

DIY Filter

DIY filters are made using raw materials readily available in your home. You can use various materials such as sand, charcoal, pair of scissors, a plastic bottle, glass jars, and gravel to make your filter. The filter has a porous media that separates the water from the impurities. 

Gravity Filter

A gravity filter uses the force of gravity to purify water. It contains two chambers, one of which is the pressure chamber, while the other is in charge of filtering contaminants. As the water passes through a membrane (the filter), it removes any impurities that may be dissolved. It is a more convenient method that doesn’t need any plumbing or electricity to function. 

The main downside of a gravity filter is that it is manual and requires you to refill the pressure chamber with water on a regular basis.

Quantum Disinfection Filter

A Quantum disinfection filter is one of the newer methods of water filtration. It relies on nano-composite materials that contain positively charged ions on activated surfaces that destroy pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. These filters are highly effective and safe, do not require electricity, and have very limited maintenance costs.

The main downside of using this filter is the cost; they are relatively pricey. And they are not widely available yet. 

Related Article: What is a Quantum Disinfection Water Filter and How does it Work?

Reverse Osmosis 

Reverse Osmosis uses a semi-permeable membrane that removes hardness, salt, and other dissolved minerals from the water. It blocks the passage of contaminants to the less concentrated side of the membrane to produce clean and healthy water. It is effortless to install, requires low maintenance, reduces sodium, and perfectly fits under the kitchen sink.

Reverse Osmosis removes all types of minerals from the water, even healthy essential minerals our bodies need. You can remineralize the water, which can improve the taste and provide you with nutrients like potassium and calcium.

Solar Purification

Solar purification involves exposing contaminated water to sunlight for about 6 hours. This method works because ultraviolet rays kill parasites and all pathogens in the water. If you use a glass bottle, it can be among the cheapest and more accessible means of water purification that only requires access to sunlight and bottles. However, there are also solar purification devices that are more effective and treat water faster.

The main downsides of this water treatment method are the time it takes to purify water and how much water can be purified at once. This method takes longer to purify water than other methods, and the quantity of water that is purified is less.

Related Article: How to Purify Water Using Solar Energy

UV Light Water Treatment

This purification method uses ultraviolet light to purify water. In this method, water passes through a UV chamber that emits high-intensity light and destroys the DNA of bacteria, protozoa, and viruses in the water, making them ineffective. Homeowners who suspect their water systems could have giardia or other bacteria should consider using UV systems. They are chemical-free, highly efficient, and have low maintenance. 

Still, you should know that the UV light bulb will need to be replaced every 1 or 2 years, and it can be costly to replace. Plus, it is dependent on electricity, and if the power goes out, you may not be able to drink your harvested water.

Related Article: UV Water Filters Pros and Cons: Everything You Need to Know

Water Chlorination

Water chlorination is a chemical-purifying method that uses chlorine or chlorine compounds like sodium hypochlorite. The chlorine produces a residual to kill the water’s bacteria, cysts, parasites, and viruses. It also hinders the recontamination of water and can get rid of all bacteria and viruses.

Although chlorinated water reduces most toxins, it introduces trihalomethanes. Another harmful toxin is believed to cause asthma, heart disease, and bladder cancer.

Benefits of Using Purified Water at Home

Here are some of the reasons you should purify your water at home.

1. It enables you to consume high-quality water: Water purification systems are designed to remove impurities that otherwise end up in your body through tap water or bottled water. They ensure you drink the best, safest water available.
2. It saves you money: purified water is less expensive than bottled water and is better for your health. If you buy cases of bottled water monthly, your expenses will add up. With a home purification system, you will only pay to replace the filter every couple of months, and you keep your body healthier since you are not consuming microplastics.
3. Enjoy the taste of freshwater: When was the last time you enjoyed drinking water that didn’t taste like metal? With home water purification systems, your water will have a healthy taste without any strong chemicals that spoil its flavor. You will also enjoy consuming food with its natural taste.
4. Have glowing and radiant skin: Water assists in cleansing out harmful contaminants from the body. The more you drink pure water, the more you will get rid of toxins and have balanced pH levels in your body. Through this, you will add a natural glow to the face ensuring that you have young-looking skin that glows. 

Conclusion 

The average American consumes 90 gallons of water per day, but not all water is made equal. Using the proper water treatment system will ensure you can use high-quality water for cooking, drinking, gardening, and laundry.

As you can see from the article, there are various techniques to purify water. Your goal is to remove sediments and pathogens from the water. Some treatment methods, like ceramic and UV light, are more effective, beneficial, and safer than other methods. But you should use the one that works best for your specific needs. 

For example, if you do not want to be dependent on electricity, you should choose a gravity filter over a UV light filter. And if you are a survivalist, you may way want to include chemical treatment tablets in your emergency storage location.

Additionally, using a water treatment system will save you money over time because it lowers your water bill, and you will not be buying bottled water every month. 

Lastly, consider multiple water treatment systems. When one system fails, it’s good to have a backup. Water security is a foundational step in becoming self-sufficient and going off-grid, so it’s important to take every precaution to secure your water supply.