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Does Boiling Water Purify It?
Usually, you don't think twice about drinking the water from your tap. But in some rare cases, your water provider might issue a boil water advisory with specific advice on steps you should take while the advisory is in effect.
Let's take a look at why you might need to boil water and the recommended steps for boiling water.
Why You Might Need to Boil Water
There are several reasons why you might need to boil water. There could be:
- A pressure drop in the water distribution system
- A water main break
- Flooding or other natural disasters
- Problems with the disinfection process
These instances are rare. But, if any of these happen, your neighborhood may be put under a boil water advisory.
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Can Boiling Water Help Purify It?
Yes, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention says boiling water can help reduce levels of disease-causing germs, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites. It’s an effective way to make your water more drinkable.
How to Boil Water to Help Purify It
If you’re under a boil water advisory, here are the CDC’s recommended steps for reducing contaminants in your water:
- Put the water in a pot on your stove.
- Allow the water to reach a rolling boil.
- Let the water continue to boil for at least one minute (three minutes if you live above 6,500 feet).
- Allow the water to cool, and then store it in a sanitized container with a lid.
When boiling water to purify it, keep in mind the recommendations from your state, local, or tribal health department.
Unfortunately, boiled water doesn’t always have the best taste. Boiling water dissolves the air inside it, resulting in water that tastes stale or flat. To fix this, pour the water back and forth a few times to aerate it.
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Other Ways to Enjoy Cleaner Water
Boiling water can help in an emergency, but what about when you’re not in a boil water advisory? Your water could still have an off taste that makes it unpleasant to drink.
To improve the taste of your home water, consider a water filtration system from Pentair. By reducing common water contaminants, these systems deliver great-tasting water to your sink or to your entire home.
Of course, taste isn't the only thing to consider when it comes to your water. Hard water can also impact your hair, skin, and nails, and cause mineral buildup in pipes and water-using appliances. For these issues, we recommend household water softeners. These work for both city and well water and can give you water you love using.