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Water is a crucial component of our everyday lives. Not only do we need it to drink, but we also rely on it for an assortment of activities around the house or office, including washing, sanitization, heating and more. Having a steady supply of clean, bacteria-free water is crucial to health, safety and productivity.
Whether you’re dealing with a boil water order or cannot access clean water in your area, understanding why and how to boil your water is smart. Let’s take a look.
Does Boiling Water Kill Bacteria?
Boiling water is one of the most effective strategies for killing bacteria, viruses and parasites and creating clean drinking water. Water begins to boil around 212 degrees Fahrenheit, which causes damage within structural components that impedes essential life processes and leads to death.
While boiling your water creates safer and drinkable water, it does not free it of all components. Instead, it kills only the organisms harmful to humans. For full sterilization, you’ll want to consider other strategies besides boiling, such as filtration or chemical disinfection.
What Contaminants Does Boiling Water Protect Against?
If you’re worried your water is contaminated, boiling water should be your first move. Boiling water works by heating your water for the right amount of time and, at the ideal temperature, can help you eliminate the risk of a variety of disease-causing contaminants, such as:
- E. coli
- Salmonella
- Rotaviruses
- Giardia
- Worms
- Hepatitis A
Boiling water doesn’t prevent everything and does have some weaknesses against chemicals, heavy metals, sediments and some bacterial spores.
When Do You Need to Boil Your Water?
Many home and business owners install filtration systems for their sinks and showers, which are great for day-to-day use but not in extreme situations. You’ll usually receive a boil water advisory during emergencies like natural disasters or damage to the water infrastructure in your area. While these alerts are general precautions, it’s always a good idea to boil your water during them, even for the following tasks:
- Cleaning clothes and dishes
- Washing your hands
- Brushing your teeth
- Bathing
- Making ice
- Washing foods
- Making drinks
The Right Way to Boil Water
When you’ve lost access to a clean water supply and cannot get your hands on bottled water, it’s crucial to understand how to properly boil water for use. To create a safe and usable water supply:
- Get water to a rolling boil of 212 degrees Fahrenheit — you should see large, vigorous bubbles.
- Boil water for one minute or three minutes at high altitudes.
- Let the water cool.
- Transfer water to a clean and sterilized container.
If you want to improve the taste of flat water after boiling, add a pinch of salt per quart or liter.
Advantages of Boiling Water
Boiling water is a straightforward process that ensures you use only the safest and cleanest water possible. Here are some of the advantages of boiling your water before use:
- Affordable: Boiling your water requires a few pots, a stove or any other heat source, so you can keep your expenses low and your safety high.
- Simple: Boiling water is quick and easy, completed in minutes right in the comfort of your own space and without any need for additional chemical additives.
- Effective: Trust this strategy to create a dependable and clean source of water you can use during an emergency.
Learn More About Your Water With Culligan Water by Your Side
Boiling your water works to kill bacteria and keep yourself and those around you safe during an emergency. At Culligan Water, we take pride in helping home and business owners keep their water supply clean year-round. We’re the local water treatment professionals in Mechanicsburg, leveraging our innovative resources and in-depth knowledge to build water treatment systems that supply clean water that tastes great.
Get in touch with us online and schedule your first water test today!