Water is essential for all living beings to survive. However, water can also carry a lot of germs and cause water-borne diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, typhoid, and more. The essence is to drink clean water that is free of dangerous bacteria and viruses. This is why every household has a water filtration system. A drinking water filtration system can be an expensive investment. Does the thought often cross your mind if it is possible to make a water filter for home? If yes, then how to make a water filtering system for your household?
While making a water filtration system wouldn’t be an easy task as there are some technicalities involved. But you can easily filter water at home with some easy processes. Here are some easy do-it-yourself water filtration systems that can be used when you are at home or travelling:
1. Boiling
Boiling water is one of the best ways to kill all the viruses, bacteria, and other disease-causing germs present in it. Though the taste of water is usually flat but it can easily be restored by changing the container and allowing it to stand for some hours before drinking it. You can also add a pinch of salt for every litre of boiled water. Here is how you can boil the water correctly:
If the water is cloudy, then filter it through a clean cotton cloth or wait for the particles to settle down. If the water is clear, then you don’t have to filter it. Boil the clear water to a rolling boil for 1 to 3 minutes. Cool the water and store them in clean containers with lids. Add salt in the quantity as mentioned above if you want to remove the flat taste.
2. UV Treatment
Yes, UV treatment can easily be done at home. In this water filtration system, you must allow natural sunlight to shine through the water. The UV rays destroy the DNA of the germs, viruses, bacteria, and other harmful microorganisms present in the water. If you add some lime juice, it will speed up this process. Remember to keep the water directly under sunlight, any obstruction will reduce the efficiency.
3. Purification Drops or Tablets
There are several types of water purification drops and tablets available in the market that can effectively help in filtering the water of germs and harmful bacteria. Water purification drops or tablets are quite handy when you are travelling and are also widely used at the time of disasters like floods when the water is not safe for drinking. These water purification drops and tablets are usually available in forms of:
- Chlorine dioxide
- Tetraglycine hydroperiodide
- Sodium dicholoroisocyanurate
- Iodine
There may be others too, but these are the most common ones. When these chemicals in the form of drops or tablets mix with water, they create an environment that makes it impossible for the viruses, bacteria, and parasitic protozoans to survive. Once these disease-causing microorganisms in the water are dead, the water becomes safe for drinking. For the exact measurement to be used, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and wait for the directed time.
4. How to Make a Water Filtering System for Kitchen Countertop
You can easily make a kitchen countertop water filter with the help of some simple ingredients. You can layer a mix of gravel, play and activated carbon in a container that has been drilled with a hole. You can fit plumbing through this hole to get clear and clean water. The top layer is gravel which catches the big pieces of debris. The second layer is play sand, and this catches the smaller particles like grit or dirt and gives the water a clear look. The activated charcoal helps in catching and getting rid of certain chemicals.
5. Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is a black powder that is made from coconut shells, coal, bone char, sawdust, peat, olive pits, and petroleum coke. It is activated by processing it at extremely high temperatures. During the activation process, the previously absorbed molecules of the charcoal are released, which make it free to bind other substances. Charcoal becomes highly absorbent after the activation process. This is why charcoal has the ability to bind all the harmful substances present in the water to itself and makes it pure and clean to drink.
They are known to have certain health benefits, and almost every water filtration system available in the market uses this to purify and filter water. Activated charcoal has the ability to absorb harmful pesticides, toxins, fungus, chemicals, and viruses. The toxins bound to charcoal leave through our feces because our body doesn’t absorb charcoal.
6. Sediment Filters
Although sediment filters don’t require to be made at home as they are readily available in stores, but they are a really good option to get clean filtered water. There are many small filters available in the market that are portable, easy to use and cost-effective too. These sediment filters are pre-designed to remove bacteria and germs from the water and make it healthy to drink. Depending on the type of filter you are buying, they may be meant for single or multiple uses. They include:
- Filtering water pitcher
- Squeezable pouch filters
- Hand-pump machine
- Filtering water bottle or straw
All these options are easily available in most stores and often a good option when you are travelling long or short distances.
These are some great cost-effective water filtration systems that you can use at home. You can use one that best suits your requirement and situation. If you have the option to purchase one, then there are several good brands available in the market. You must do some research before installing one at your home.