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According to global reports, a whopping 3,575,000 people die from waterborne diseases every year. The majority are children (2.2 million). To put this in perspective, that’s like seven people dying every minute! Sad, but true.
Clean water is crucial to our survival! However, if it is contaminated by bacteria, viruses, or dangerous microorganisms, it can make you sick, or even kill you. That’s why you should never drink water straight from a stream. Clear does not mean clean!
You’ve probably heard that boiling water makes it safe to drink…
This is true.
However, there is a right way and a wrong way to boil water for disinfection. We’re going to show you how to boil water properly and when to do it.
When to Boil Water
- If you live in a big city, the water that comes from your tap is generally filtered and treated with chemicals to kill all the pathogens. It is safe to drink without boiling. Cities typically issue a boil order when there is an issue.
- If your water comes from a well, or some other source, you need to test the water (periodically) to make sure it is safe to drink. You can do this with some inexpensive water test strips.
- If your water comes from a stream, or some other natural source, you need to treat/boil the water before drinking it.
Water contamination can be the result of a power outage, broken pipe, animal infiltration, improper maintenance, a natural disaster, and so much more. You should always be prepared to boil water from your tap, if necessary. Storing some emergency water at home is also a good idea.
Have you heard about Blue Can Water? It has a shelf life of 50 years!
How to Boil Water for Disinfection (The Right Way)
Boiling is an old but gold trick to kill all the pathogens lurking in your water. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), bacteria are rapidly killed at temperatures above 149°F/65°C. And, if you boil water to a temperature of 212°F/100°C, no bacteria can stand a chance of survival.
Note: Keep in mind, though, that boiling kills pathogens but does not remove chemical pollutants and sediments. Unless, of course, it’s distilled. Boiling water also does not improve its taste.
To be certain that every single disease-causing microbe is totally annihilated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following:
If the water is cloudy:
- Filter it through a clean cloth, paper towel, or coffee filter; or allow it to settle first.
- Draw off the clear water.
- Bring the clear water to a rolling boil (water boils vigorously with lots of bubbles) for 1 minute (3 minutes for elevations above 6,500 ft.).
- Remove the boiled water from the heat source and let it cool.
- Once the water has cooled, store it in sterilized containers with tight covers.
If the water is clear:
- Just do the aforementioned steps 3 to 5 from above.
Boiling Water in the Outdoors
Boiling water at home is easy as long as you have power — you simply use your stove. If you need to boil water while outdoors, you’ll need to build a fire or use some other heat source. We recommend everyone have a mini camp stove in their 72-hour kit for this purpose. It’s not always practical or easy to get a fire going.
Also Read: Outdoor Cooking Equipment for Your 72-Hour Kit
Whether you’re hiking, camping, or trying to survive a disaster, having the means to boil water is important… The fastest and most efficient way is the Jetboil Flash Camping and Backpacking Stove Cooking System. You can get the job done in less than two minutes!
Boiling water is not the only way to make sure it is safe to drink. You can also use water purification tablets or a water filter. Each has its own pros and cons. It’s nice to have several water purification methods on hand.
Also Read: This Incredible Water Filter Straw Is a Must-Have in Your Emergency Kits
