How Do We Purify Our Drinking Water?

Purified drinking water is essential to a healthy lifestyle. Municipal water supplies are often treated with harsh chemicals, such as fluoride. Though this treatment ensures that E. coli and other common disease-causing bacteria are removed from the water, it is often unhealthy to consume the chemicals that are used over long periods of time. There are many water purification systems available on the market today. These systems are relatively inexpensive, but some require replacement filters every 35 to 45 gallons.

Things You'll Need

• Pitcher with filter
• Faucet-mount filter
• 1-quart water bottle
• 2% iodine

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Instructions

Pitcher Filters

• 1

  Soak the filter in water for 1 hour before the first use.

• 2

  Place the filter into the plastic compartment of the pitcher.

• 3

  Fill the top compartment of the pitcher with water.

• 4

  Allow the top compartment contents to be filtered completely into the lower compartment before pouring water.

Faucet-Mount Filters

• 5

  Remove the faucet aerator by turning it counterclockwise.

• 6

  Attach the adapter to the faucet, if necessary. Certain types of faucets will require an adapter.

• 7

  Screw the filter onto the faucet head or adapter by rotating it clockwise.

• 8

  Turn the selector to the "Filtered" setting on the filter.

• 9

  Turn on the tap water.

Boiling Water

• 10

  Add water to a pan about 3/4 of the way full.

• 11

  Turn on the burner and wait for the water to boil.

• 12

  Remove the water after it has achieved a rolling boil for at least 60 seconds. Allow the water to cool before drinking.

Iodine Tablets

• 13

  Fill a 1-quart water bottle with water.

• 14

  Squeeze 5 drops of liquid 2% iodine into 1 quart of water. Use 10 drops if the water is cloudy or murky.

• 15

  Shake the bottle until the water color is even throughout.