Water is a surprisingly precious commodity. Despite approximately 71%of the Earth’s surface being water, 96.5% of this is in the oceans and not readily available to drink. In fact, less than 1% of the water on Earth is actually available to drink by humans.
Even the water that is available can be contaminated. It collects minerals as it flows through rocks, picks up contaminants from fields, and bacteria from almost anywhere. It’s why water treatment plants exist and why you shouldn’t drink water in the wild.
Of course, you’ve probably heard that you can boil water to make it safe to drink, it appears to be frequently done on survival programs. However, it’s essential to note that boiled water is not the same as filtered water.
What Boiling Water Does
Boiling water means heating it to a temperature of 100°C, this is the temperature at which water turns from a liquid to a gas, (steam). At this temperature, many bacteria cannot survive and will be killed, as will an array of pollutants. However, neutralizing them is not the same as removing them, they will still be in the water and you’ll still be ingesting them.
Interestingly, any pollutant that evaporates before 100°C will be removed, making boiling an effective way to remove chlorine from your water.
You should also note that just boiling is not enough to kill all bacteria or disinfect pollutants. To do this you’ll want to boil the water for 5-10 minutes, that’s more than your kettle is capable of.
Water Filters
Water filters come in an array of shapes and sizes. They can be fitted on a single supply line to a dedicated faucet in your home. Or, you can have them fitted on the main supply line and filter all the water entering your home.
Both are viable options, its’ worth talking to a supplier of the best water filters Melbourne to get more advice before choosing your preferred option.
It’s also possible to choose smaller filters, these are incorporated into filter jugs or can even be carried with you and used in a survival situation.
Water filters are designed to remove chemicals from water, they’ll remove bacteria, debris, and various other pollutants, including chlorine. They are also very effective at removing heavy metals which boiling doesn’t. Heavy metals can build up in your body and have a negative effect in the long term.
However, there are different types of water filters, the most common are carbon filters and reverse osmosis filters. These are generally the most effective at removing a wide array of contaminants. But, to really ensure your tap water is safe to drink you should have it tested.
This will help you identify what toxins and pollutants are in it and which filter system will work best to eradicate them. Your local firm will help you identify and remove these contaminants.
You will notice the difference in taste and can rest assured that you are doing your best for your health.
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