A Taste of What's Inside
The last two chapters explored the invisible threats lurking in your stored water: bacteria, viruses, and chemical contaminants. But don’t worry, we won’t leave you to fight them alone! This chapter introduces the weapons you can use to keep your water safe.
Making Your Water Safe to Use: Common Treatment Methods
Clean water is essential, but “clean” can mean different things depending on how you plan to use it. Sometimes, you need more than just basic cleanliness; you need water that’s pure and safe enough for drinking or other sensitive uses. That’s where water treatment comes in. Let’s explore some of the most common options:
Filtration: Removing Unwanted Particles
Filtration is a key process in water treatment that removes unwanted particles and improves water clarity. Different types of filters target various impurities, from large debris to microscopic contaminants.
Mechanical Filters remove larger particles like sand, rust, and sediment. (For a detailed discussion of mechanical filtration, see Chapter 7.)
Ceramic Filters have tiny pores that trap bacteria and other microorganisms, making your water safer for drinking. They’re a good option for small-scale water treatment or emergencies. Ceramic filters are handy when treating water from questionable sources, like rivers or lakes, where bacteria might be a concern.
Activated Carbon Filters use activated carbon to adsorb a wide range of impurities, including chlorine, chemicals, and odors, improving the taste and smell of water. Activated carbon filters are often used to remove residual chlorine from treated water or to reduce the levels of certain chemicals and pesticides.
When choosing a filter, consider the size of the particles you want to remove and the specific contaminants you’re targeting. Choose a filter with a micron rating appropriate for the impurities you want to eliminate. For example, if you’re concerned about microscopic bacteria or other pathogens, you’ll need a filter with a much smaller micron rating (1 micron or less). Both ceramic and activated carbon filters are available in that range.
Fortunately, if you’re concerned about both biological and chemical contaminants, a combination of ceramic and activated carbon filters can be an effective solution. This multi-stage filtration approach can remove a much wider range of impurities.
Disinfection: Eliminating Harmful Microorganisms
Even if your water looks clean, it can still harbor harmful bacteria and viruses that can make you, your family, or your livestock sick. Disinfection eliminates those microscopic threats, making your water safe for consumption. Here are a few standard disinfection methods:
Boiling is a simple method for killing most harmful microorganisms by bringing water to a rolling boil for one minute (three minutes at higher elevations). However, boiling can be energy-intensive and doesn’t remove other contaminants like sediment or chemicals.
Chlorination involves adding chlorine to your water to kill bacteria and viruses. It’s a standard method used in municipal water treatment systems. Calcium hypochlorite is an affordable and widely available option. One benefit of chlorination is that it provides residual disinfection, meaning a small amount of chlorine remains in the water to provide ongoing protection.
UV Disinfection uses ultraviolet light to damage the DNA of microorganisms, preventing them from reproducing. It’s a chemical-free option that is effective against a broad range of microorganisms. UV systems work best with clear water, so pre-filtration might be necessary.
Ozonation uses ozone gas to disinfect water. It’s a powerful oxidizer that kills many contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. It can also help remove iron, manganese, and sulfur from the water. However, ozone breaks down quickly, so it can’t provide residual disinfection. Ozone systems also require careful handling due to the potential hazards of ozone gas.
Purification
While filtration and disinfection can remove many contaminants, sometimes you need an extra level of clean. Purification removes more impurities, including chemicals, heavy metals, and emerging pollutants like nanoplastics and PFAS.
Reverse Osmosis uses pressure to force water through a semipermeable membrane, leaving behind contaminants like salts, minerals, and chemicals. RO produces highly purified water, but it can be more expensive than other methods and produces concentrated wastewater that must be safely disposed of.
Distillation involves boiling water and collecting the steam, which is then condensed back into purified water, much like the natural water cycle with evaporated water. Distillation removes a wide range of contaminants, but it can be energy-intensive.
Choosing the Right Water Treatment Method
With so many options available, how do you choose the right water treatment method for your needs? Consider these key factors:
Water Source: Know Your Starting Point
Everything starts with the quality of your source water. And yet, even sources that are initially reliable can become contaminated or fail. Rainwater, for example, is generally clean but often contains dust, pollen, and other pollutants, especially after a drought. Well water can be a reliable source, but it could contain minerals, bacteria, or other impurities, depending on the well’s location and depth. Municipal water is often a preferred choice because it’s treated to meet drinking water standards, but it can be disrupted by events like natural disasters and infrastructure failures.
Intended Use: What’s Your Water’s Job?
How you plan to use your stored water will also influence your treatment choices. Different uses have different requirements, so let’s break it down:
Drinking Water
If you’re planning to drink your stored water, you’ll need a purification method that removes a wide range of contaminants, including pathogens (like bacteria and viruses), heavy metals (like lead and arsenic), and chemicals (like pesticides and industrial pollutants).
Household Use
Simple filtration and disinfection might be sufficient for washing, bathing, and other household uses. Cooking also falls into this category, as boiling water for cooking will generally kill any harmful pathogens. However, if you’re concerned about other contaminants, consider using filtered or purified water for cooking instead.
Irrigation
For watering plants or crops, basic filtration might be all you need to remove sediment and debris.
Livestock
Animals have different water quality needs than humans. While they might tolerate some sediment or specific pathogens, their water should be free of excessive bacteria and toxic contaminants like heavy metals and industrial pollutants. Filtration and disinfection are usually sufficient, but purification should be considered if you have specific concerns about your source water.
Contaminant Levels: Get to Know Your Water
Before diving straight into a treatment plan, take a moment to get to know your water. Understanding the specific contaminants in your supply is the key to choosing the best treatment method.
Start by learning about potential contaminants common in your region. Are you in an agricultural area where runoff might carry pesticides or herbicides? Or near industrial sites where heavy metals might be present? Even urban areas have a particular set of contaminants linked to heavy traffic and dense population centers.
Next, get your water tested. A professional lab can provide a detailed report revealing specific contaminants and their levels. This information can guide you toward the most effective treatment approach.
Making the Decision
With so much to consider, settling on a water treatment method can be overwhelming. If you’re feeling stuck, don’t hesitate to seek expert advice. A qualified water treatment professional can help you define your needs, weigh your options, and choose the best solution.
Putting a Lid on It
We’ve covered a range of water treatments to tackle troublesome contaminants like bacteria, viruses, and chemicals. The good news is that even moderately contaminated water can be made safe for consumption with the right combination of treatments, and we’ve looked at some pretty effective options.
But, naturally, there’s more to providing clean, drinkable water. In Chapter 7, we’ll look at the physical impurities that can diminish your water’s clarity and appeal. We’ll review tips for identifying physical contaminants, and follow up with some practical solutions to keep your water clear and appealing.
