Disinfecting Drinking Water
To
disinfect drinking water means to clean or sterilize it so that it does not
infect humans and animals, and their surrounding environments. You disinfect
water when there is a chance it carries germs that could make you sick.
When should I disinfect my
drinking water?
Drinking water suppliers are required to treat raw water
to remove germs that can make you sick.
However,
there may be times when you need to disinfect your own drinking water, such as
when:
·
Your community is given a boil water notice.
·
You get your drinking water directly from a
stream, river, lake, or creek, or from a shallow or improperly constructed
well.
·
Tests of your water show it has human waste
(feces) in it, which is called fecal coliform.
·
A flood, earthquake, or other disaster has
disrupted the water supply in your community.
·
You are travelling in an area where water is
not well treated.
·
You have a weakened immune system.
Why should I disinfect my
drinking water?
When you disinfect drinking water, you kill germs such as
bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Many different diseases are spread by germs
and can infect drinking water. These are called water-borne infections.
Common infections Include Campylobacter, Salmonella, Cholera, Amoebic
dysentery, Giardia (beaver fever), Cryptosporidium, and Toxoplasma.
Water-borne
infections happen when animal or human feces containing these germs get into
drinking water.
Open
waters such as lakes and streams are more likely to get infected than water
flowing deep under the ground. The closer water is to the surface, the greater
chance germs can get in the water.
What is the best way to
disinfect water?
·
The best way to kill germs such as bacteria,
viruses, and parasites, is to boil the water.
·
Boil water at a full boil for at least 1
minute. If you are using an automatic shut-off kettle, make sure the water has
boiled for 1 minute. At elevations, over 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) boil water
for at least 2 minutes to disinfect it.
·
Let the water cool. Always store your clean
water in clean containers made for storing food or water.
·
Boiling does not make heavily polluted water
safe.
Can I use bleach to
disinfect water?
Yes. If you cannot boil water, you can disinfect it using
unscented household bleach. Do not use scented bleaches, color-safe bleaches,
bleaches with added cleaners, or non-chlorine bleach.
Bleach
will kill some, but not all the different types of germs that could be in the
water. Water disinfected with bleach is called treated water.
 |
| Giardia |
Bleach
does not work if the water is heavily polluted or when
polluted with chemicals.
Boil
the water if you are concerned your water has parasites such as Giardia or Cryptosporidium. If you are ever unsure about the safety of
your water, even after it has been treated with bleach, do not consume it.
 |
| Cryptosporidium |
Bleach
works best when added to warm water that is about 20˚C (68˚F). To treat your
water, add 2 drops (0.1 mL) of unscented household bleach (about 5.25%
chlorine) to 1 litre of warm water.
Mix
the bleach and water together. Cover it and let it stand for at least 30
minutes before drinking. You should notice a slight chlorine smell after the 30
minutes. If you don’t, add another 2 drops. Let the water to stand for another
15 minutes.
If the
water is cloudy, colder than 10˚C (50˚F), or if your water is from a lake,
stream, or shallow well add 4 drops (0.2 mL) of unscented household bleach
(about 5.25% chlorine) to 1 litre of water.
Mix
the bleach and water together. Cover it and let it stand for 1 to 2 hours before
drinking. If the treated water has a strong taste of chlorine, let the water
stand open to the air for a few hours.
You
can also pour it back and forth from one clean container to another several
times. The longer the treated water stands the better it works to disinfect the
water.
If you
are using chlorine tablets, follow the directions on the package.
What if the water is cloudy
or murky?
If the water is cloudy or murky, filter it before boiling
or treating
the water.
Pour
the water through a clean cloth or coffee filter. Let any remaining bits settle
to the bottom. Pour off the clear water into clean containers made for storing
food or water.
The
water might still look a little cloudy. If you are ever unsure about the safety
of your water, even after it has been filtered, do not consume it.
Can I use iodine to
disinfect water?
Yes. You can use iodine but only for over a short period
of time. If you use iodine for more than 1 to 2 months, you could get thyroid
problems.
Pregnant
women should not use iodine drops to disinfect water as it could harm the
unborn baby.
Iodine
works best when added to warm water that is about 20˚C (68˚F). To treat warm
water, add 5 drops (0.25 mL) of 2% Tincture of Iodine to 1 litre of warm water.
Mix
the iodine and water together. Let it stand for at least 30 minutes before
drinking.
To
treat cold water that is between 5 to 15˚C (41-59˚F), use the same amounts, but
let it stand for 40 minutes before drinking.
If you
are using iodine tablets, follow the directions on the package.
 |
| Multi-Media Filter, Highly-Activated Carbon Filter, Zeolite-Process Water Softener with Brine Tank (automatic backwash & regeneration) |
Can I use filtration or
other treatment methods to disinfect water?
If your drinking water will require treatment for a long
period of time, you may want to think of other sources of drinking water, such
as bottled water, or installing a filtration system.
If you
are going to install an filtration system, make sure to check with a reliable
supplier who can help you with installation and ongoing maintenance.
To
remove some types of germs, such as Giardia, filters must have an absolute pore size of 1 micron or
less.
Other
types of water treatment units, such as distillation and UV units are also
available. Check with local water purification suppliers or your local
environmental health officer for more information.
When should I use disinfected
water?
Use treated, boiled (and then cooled water), or
store-bought bottled water for the following activities:
·
Making baby formula.
·
Brushing your teeth.
·
Making coffee or tea.
 |
| Ultra-Violet Sterilization System with Cartridge Pre-Filters |
·
Cleaning raw vegetables and fruit.
·
Making drink mixes such as using juice
concentrates or drink crystals.
·
Washing dishes. If you wash dishes by hand,
let them air dry. If your dishwasher does not have a hot or sanitation cycle,
soak the dishes for 1 minute in a solution of bleach and warm water. Mix 2 ml
of bleach for every 1 Litre of untreated water.
·
Filling pet dishes.
·
Making ice cubes. Freezing does not kill
germs or clean the water.
·
Bathing children.
To
reduce the chance of your child swallowing water that might still have germs,
give sponge baths using clean water.
Adults
can bathe or shower using water that has not been disinfected, as long as they
do not swallow any of the water.
After
bathing or showering, wash your hands with disinfected water.
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source:
healthlinkbc.ca
