What Is Potable Water And How Is Water Purified
Water is the source of existence on earth. It is one of the basic necessities of life. It makes up seventy percent of human weight and is the fuel for many chemical reactions inside us. The United Nations places access to clean drinkable water as the basic right for every individual in the world. The issue of potable water is a very severe one, especially in the less developed parts of the world. Water resources are scarce and a large part of that available is not fit for drinking by human kind. Potable water is the term used for water quality that is suitable for human consumption safely. Impure water can breed several diseases, especially gut ones. It is important to know what potable water is and how can be water purified for use so that you and the loved ones around you remain safe.
Instructions
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Potable water is water that is fit for human intake. It is also called drinking water. It should be clean of any bacteria and contaminants which can harm humans. Water can naturally be potable in case of natural springs which are fresh and provide clean drinking water. In situations where water is from a source you are unsure of purity, you can treat the water through different methods and make it potable.
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The most common method of purifying water is by boiling it. Boiling water to a temperature of 100 centigrade will kill most of the germs and pathogens in it. It becomes safe for human use. The method is a very popular one because of the convenience it offers. All you need is a boiling pot and a source of heat. However, boiling is not able to eliminate those harmful elements which survive a temperature above hundred centigrade.
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Chlorination is a very effective method used for purifying infected water. Chlorine is added to water in solution or tablet form. Chlorine tablets can be carried while travelling so that you can purify water whenever you are in doubt. Chlorine is also added to the national household water supply in most countries of the world because of its effectiveness against most contaminants.
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Another chemical compound that can be used to make water potable is iodine. Like chlorine, it is available in solution, crystal and tablet form. Iodine reduces the number of pathogens commonly found in fresh water supply. However, it is unable to finish off all of them and there is still a risk of infection.
