Best Ways of Purifying Water at Home: Water Purification System

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The best way to purify water at home is essential for maintaining good health. Having access to clean drinking water is a basic need. However, several parts of the country (India) do not have a safe drinking water standard through direct tap connections. The contaminants range from dissolved salts to harmful microorganisms. So, effective water purification methods are a need for all families. Boiling, filtration, and advanced technologies such as RO and UV water purifiers are available to ensure good quality water in India.

Why is Water Purification Important in India?

Water contamination is a major public health concern in India. The sources of water vary significantly between urban and rural areas. Cities depend on municipal water supplies. Although supplied with appropriate treatment at the source, it often passes through damaged and leaky pipes. This leads to the presence of sewage and dirt in the water.

On the other hand, numerous houses depend on groundwater and bore wells. This “hard” water contains high levels of total dissolved solids (TDS), arsenic, and lead. Unless purified, consuming such water can lead to several long term health issues, including kidney stones, dental fluorosis, and severe problems related to the digestive system.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has laid down strict norms for safe drinking water. However, there is a shortage in providing pure and clean drinking water. Waterborne diseases in India, such as cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis A, are still prevalent. Water purification is not a matter of choice, but it is essential to survive. Good quality purified water ensures that our drinking water is free from biological, chemical, & physical contaminants.

Traditional & Natural Ways to Purify Water

In the era before the availability of modern electricity, Indians employed effective methods of purifying water. Although some of these methods are still relevant today, they offer good value for money and can be used during emergency situations such as power failures.

1. Boiling Water: Best Oldest Way

Boiling is the oldest and best method for purifying water. Effective against biological contaminants.

How it works: Heating water at a rolling boil (100°C) helps to eliminate bacteria, viruses and protozoa. Heat damages the protein structure of these microorganisms.

The Indian Context: Boiling water is a part of our daily routine in several households. It is especially important during the monsoon months when cases of infections are on the rise.

Procedure: Heat the water till it boils. Let it boil for 10-15 minutes to ensure that all harmful germs are killed. Keep it covered to cool down.

Advantages: Boiling water is free of cost, requires no additional gadgets, and can help in eliminating most of the viruses and bacteria.

Disadvantages: Boiling water is a time consuming process that requires fuel (gas or electricity). Is boiling water sufficient to make water drinkable? Unfortunately, no! Boiling water does not eliminate chemical contaminants such as lead, arsenic or pesticides. It also cannot remove muddy impurities. Sometimes, boiling water can alter its taste.

Tips: Once you have boiled the water, filter it through a clean cotton cloth to remove any suspended particles.

2. Clay Pots (Matka) Water Purification

Using a clay pot water cooler is based on scientific research and is part of our traditional practices. It is deeply rooted in Indian culture.

How it works: Clay pots are porous. Water evaporates from the small pores on its surface. The evaporation helps to cool down the water stored inside. The small pores are capable of filtering out dust, bacteria and slime.

Cultural Significance: In rural areas of India and several traditional urban houses, the Matka serves as the main vessel for storing water.

Advantages: Provides naturally cooled water without electricity; helps to balance the pH level of water, giving it a slightly alkaline nature; adds important micronutrients such as calcium and magnesium through the clay material.

Disadvantages: Unable to provide clean drinking water from contaminated water sources. If a water source has high levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) or heavy metals, a clay pot water filter won’t be able to remove them. Regular cleaning of the clay pot is required to prevent the growth of algae and fungi.

Best For: Families having access to a relatively clean municipal supply system who can provide themselves with naturally filtered and mildly cooled drinking water.

Modern Water Purification Systems (Electric)

In order to fully protect oneself from contaminants, electric purifiers become vital. These are capable of taking care of all kinds of impurities—biological as well as chemical.

3. Reverse Osmosis (RO): Best for High TDS

Reverse osmosis (RO) is a widely employed technology within India. RO is considered the most effective method for treating hard water.

How it works: The process of RO involves using a semipermeable membrane. This membrane possesses pores of about 0.0001 micron in size. It makes water pass through under pressure. It separates impurities, like salts, heavy metals, and bacteria.

Best For: Borewell water and areas where TDS is very high, like above 500 ppm or even more than that.

Advantages: It can take away almost all (99%) dissolved impurities from the water. It eradicates toxic metals like lead or arsenic. Changing salty water into fresh and drinkable.

Disadvantages: It wastes a significant amount of water (reject water). It removes healthy minerals along with contaminants. This can make the water slightly acidic.

Solution: Nowadays TDS controllers/mineralizers are available in modern RO purifiers that help to retain minerals in water after purification so that drinking becomes safe.

4. Ultraviolet (UV) Purification: Best for Microorganisms

Ultraviolet light is used by UV water purifiers to kill germs in water. It is good for the environment.

How it works: The water flows through a UV lamp. The high energy UV rays penetrate virus and bacteria cells. This prevents them from multiplying and causing infection.

Best For: It is mainly useful in municipal tap water with low but high TDS.

Advantages: It does not contain chemicals. It keeps the natural minerals intact in the water. It is fast and works on waterborne pathogens.

Disadvantages: It leaves behind the following in the water: dissolved salts, dirt, and heavy metals. Also, it may require pre-filtration if the water’s turbidity level is high.

Maintenance: For maximum effectiveness, the UV lamp should be replaced every year.

5. Ultrafiltration (UF): No Electricity Required

People confuse ultrafiltration with reverse osmosis, but they are not the same.

How it works: A type of membrane used in UF has a pore size that is slightly larger than that used in RO. UF can operate either by gravity or through the application of low water pressure.

Best For: Those who live in places with constant power failure. It can be used in water having low TDS.

Advantages: This device functions independently from the electricity supply. The removal of cysts and bacteria is done safely. Also, it does not produce wastewater.

Disadvantages: Dissolved salts and viruses cannot be removed by it. UF alone cannot treat chemically contaminated water.

Chemical Purification Methods (For Emergency/Travel)

During travel, trekking, or any emergency situation, people should turn to chemical ways of disinfection. This approach is not suitable for everyday use in the home unless there are no other options.

6. Chlorination (Bleaching Powder or Tablets)

Most municipal corporations use chlorination.

How to use: One may add chlorine tablets or liquid bleach into the water.

Effectiveness: It is effective in killing almost all bacteria and viruses.

Warning: The presence of a chloride smell or taste is a matter of concern. Overdosage of chlorine may be dangerous, leading to breathing complications. It fails to eliminate heavy metals from the water.

Usage: Useful during floods or when there is suspicion of gross contamination with regard to tap water.

7. Iodine Treatment

Iodine is a popular chemical among hikers and trekkers across the Himalayas.

Effectiveness: It works very well against viruses and bacteria.

Advantages: This one is light and easy to carry around.

Disadvantages: Using it over prolonged periods affects the thyroid gland. On top of that, it is not advisable for pregnant women. Besides, it leaves a medicinal aftertaste in the mouth.

Comparison Table

Method	Kills Bacteria/Virus?	Removes TDS/salts?	Removes Mud/Dirt?	Best Water Source
Boiling	Yes	No	Partially	Tap/Rain
Clay Pot	Partially	No	Yes	Tap
RO	Yes	Yes	Yes	Borewell/Hard Water
UV	Yes	No	No	Municipal/Tap
UF	Yes	No	Yes	Tap/River

What Are the Criteria for Buying the Water Purifier in India?

It may not be easy to decide on which home water purifier to buy. Ensure you follow these simple tips for choosing the best water purifier that will help you to make an informed decision.

Check out our detailed review on 14 Best Water Purifiers in India | Ultimate Buying Guide and Reviews, 5 Best Aquaguard Water Purifiers in India: Tested and Reviewed

# 1: Check TDS Levels

This step can make or break your deal. Nowadays, you can order for an affordable digital TDS meter via the internet.

TDS < 300 ppm: ROs may be unnecessary in such cases. Go for UV + UF purifiers. Such machines retain minerals and are economical on water usage.
TDS > 500 ppm: An RO purifier is mandatory in this case. Consuming drinking water having high TDS may cause kidney stones.
TDS is between 300-500 ppm: Think of an RO with a mineralizer.

# 2: Identify Water Source

Municipal Supply: Normally has low TDS but high bacteria risk; hence, one should consider going with UV or UF.
Borewell/Well Water: High TDS with lots of hardness; therefore, RO should be selected.

# 3: Look for Multi-Stage Purification

The best water purifier for Indian homes is usually a combination. The safest bet would be an RO + UV + UF + TDS controller system. Such a “multi-stage purification” makes sure that even if you experience any fluctuation in the quality of your water supply (as is common in many parts of India), you will still be safe.

Conclusions

There should be no compromise when it comes to the purity of water. It is unsafe to depend on unfiltered water nowadays because of the increased levels of contaminants and impurities. Home water treatment options vary depending on the quality of the tap water that one receives.

For those receiving municipal water that is low in TDS, then boiling or using UV is enough. On the other hand, if you rely on borewells for water supply and have hard water (high TDS), then you must spend money on buying a top-quality RO water purifier. Evaluate your water quality today. Make a choice for safe water that will keep away water-related diseases from your family.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which method is safest for purifying water at home?

The safest method involves multiple stages of treatment. Reverse osmosis combined with ultraviolet (UV) treatment is the most effective way to deal with hard water, as it gets rid of both dissolved chemicals & biological contaminants. If you have soft municipal water, then UV filtration is the way to go since it kills off any germs while leaving important minerals intact.

Is boiled water safer to drink than water purified by RO?

It depends on what’s contaminating your water. Boiling kills bacteria, but it won’t remove heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, or pesticides. RO will remove these things from your water, so go with the RO method over boiling.

Which is the best healthy water to drink?

Healthy water contains a balanced level of TDS (total dissolved solids) and essential minerals and is free from pathogens. The TDS should be between 50 and 150 PPM. You may get this kind of healthy water from ROs having mineralizers or through UV-treated water.

Is it OK to drink tap water after filtering it through a cloth?

No—don’t do this. The cloth will only get rid of visible dirt & sand particles; it won’t do anything about dissolved chemicals or microscopic organisms like viruses. If you drink tap water filtered through cloth directly, then you may fall sick.