How to purify tap water at home. How and how to purify water at home.

Spring water does not flow from our water taps. This problem has been going on for more than one decade, and there is still no global solution. Maybe somewhere in a distant country, overseas utilities have already found a way to bring a “clean tear” to their homes. And we can only look for our own methods of water purification for each individual apartment.

Why can not you leave it as it is?

The quality of tap water is far from any sanitary and human standards. Chlorination or, in the best case, fluorination relieves it of the causative agents of infections, but it does not save at all from such additives as pesticides, nitrates, salts of heavy metals.

Although industrial methods of water purification should become more perfect from year to year, in fact, only MPC standards are changing. Concentrations of harmful substances allowed for domestic water are artificially high and simply legalize the chemical “cocktail” that enters our taps.

Cleaning options

There are a lot of homemade ways to purify water from harmful or simply undesirable impurities, but each of them fights with one group of substances or organisms. Therefore, to obtain the desired result, you often have to take a whole range of measures.

Water purification at home is possible by several methods, but it is important to understand the physics of each process, since it is quite difficult to ideally separate the liquid into drinking and technical.

Purification of water by sedimentation

This method not only allows you to separate the heavy precipitate, it also gives the water time to self-clean from volatile compounds of ammonia and chlorine. In order to make the process as effective as possible, water is defended in a container with a wide top and without a lid for at least 8 hours. Then you can pour it into a clean container, trying not to mix the layers, and pour the bottom quarter altogether.

After each sedimentation, rinse the walls and bottom of the main tank with a solution of acetic or citric acid to remove limescale.

Water filters

At one time, there was a boom in various filtration systems, the manufacturers of which promised trouble-free softening of water at home and almost 100% of the cleaning result. Gradually, the less effective ones were eliminated, and the most reliable methods continue to be used in everyday life:

• Capacitive filter jugs are quite versatile, since you can install cartridges with different degrees of water purification in them. The main thing is not to forget to change them regularly.
• Multilevel filtration systems - show themselves best of all, but also stand accordingly. But they use at the same time different methods of water purification, freeing it not only of garbage, but also of chlorine, suspended rust, some types of bacteria and viruses.

Boiling

The method is as old as the world, and effective not only for the destruction of pathogens. During boiling, calcium salts are removed from the water. True, they do not disappear at all, but settle on the inner surface of the kettle, after which they have to be removed already from the dishes. Other dissolved substances cannot be neutralized in this way, and purification of water from the smell during boiling is impossible.

For rough preparation and disinfection of at least 50-70 percent, water should boil for at least 10-15 minutes, since most pathogens do not die immediately. A higher result of the destruction of pathogens by 98-99% requires even more time - about half an hour. And in the case of anthrax, boil water will have at least an hour. So an electric kettle with an automatic shutdown is definitely not suitable for these purposes.

But boiling has a downside. Most urban water treatment plants, in the old fashioned manner, resort to chlorination, and after boiling, the remaining chlorine turns into a dangerous carcinogen - chloroform. In addition, a natural decrease in the volume of water increases the percentage of other impurities in it. So this method should be used only in a tight bundle with standing, and double - before boiling and after it.

Distillation

Simply put, evaporation. The same boiling, but the steam will have to be collected. You will need a home-made water purifier based on the principle of a distillation apparatus. The design may be the simplest:

• closed container for boiling;
• steam exhaust pipe;
• cooling coil;
• container for collecting distilled water.

In this case, all harmful substances will remain in the evaporator tank, and perfectly pure water will collect in the condensing coil. It is, of course, unpleasant to the taste, and it’s not worth it to use distillate regularly - still, the supply of minerals in the human body is replenished, including drinking water. Moreover, the distilled liquid will dissolve the beneficial salts already in the cells and wash out the substances necessary for normal functioning.

Silver and copper cleaning

Our distant ancestors knew how to purify water and make it safe. At least those who were rich enough to "drink and eat on silver." The disinfecting effect of pure argentum is really widely known, but only precious metals do not need technical or even jewelry, which comes with the addition of low-melting copper. In a silver bowl, water is defended for about a day. If there is no such container, you can simply put a silver object in a regular container.

Copper kitchen utensils have a similar effect, but it is not recommended to keep water in it for longer than 4 hours. Otherwise, instead of disinfected liquid, you will get a solution of toxic compounds that have passed from copper.

Freezing

A surprisingly effective way to partially get rid of pathogenic bacteria and almost completely remove dissolved salts from the liquid. No complicated device for water purification is required in this case, unless a sufficiently spacious freezer.

Liquid from the tap needs to be poured into plastic bottles, but not to the very neck, but leaving a couple of centimeters free. As it freezes, water will increase in volume and may break the container. For the same reason, glass cannot be used at all.

Send prepared containers to the freezer, but watch the condition of the water. When half to two thirds of the volume freezes, the residues need to be poured out - they contain a large amount of mineral impurities that do not allow the liquid to solidify quickly at the set 0 ° C. Ice can be thawed and used for its intended purpose, or use additional methods of water purification to improve the result.

Ozonation

Safe cleaning methods aimed specifically at disinfecting water are used in modern ozonation systems. Enough 20 minutes of operation of such a device to destroy most harmful microbes. For some time this effect persists, so it is very useful to wash food products with ozonated water, so that they become safe for humans.

Insisting on minerals (flint, shungite)

The method is very similar to the upholding of tap water in a separate container, but with the addition of minerals. Silicon for water treatment should be taken smaller so that the total surface area of \u200b\u200bthe stones is maximum. It has a disinfecting effect and even benefits the body. It has a rejuvenating, immunostimulating effect, strengthens the walls of blood vessels.

You can buy this miracle mineral in a pharmacy, and it’s not difficult to use it: pour water on it and leave for a day or two to insist. Silicon attracts impurities and pathogens, so you can use only the upper layers of water, otherwise the whole point of cleaning is lost. After this, the precipitate is removed and the next portion is poured. But first, examine the pebbles so that there is no thin coating on them. If silicon is contaminated, it must be washed under running water with a clean toothbrush.

It is recommended to take larger shungite for the same purposes - for each liter of liquid you need one 100-gram stone. Preparation is almost no different from a recipe for silicon water: infusion for 3 days and transfusion of the upper layers. The mineral needs to be cleaned every six months.

Shungite water should not be drunk by people predisposed to oncology, blood clots and with high acidity of gastric juice.

Folk methods

Many common plants in our latitudes also have cleansing properties. For example, when using mountain ash branches, it is even possible to completely clean the water from odor - you just need to put fresh trimmings in it for a couple of hours. Willow bark, juniper and bird cherry leaves give the same bactericidal effect after 12 hours.

For quick cleaning of harmful impurities, use activated carbon at the rate of 1 tablet per glass. After a quarter of an hour, the water can be filtered and subjected to a disinfection treatment. As an option, use a homemade charcoal filter, paving several layers of gauze with crushed powder. Or simply wrap the tablets in a clean section of the bandage and leave them in a container of water overnight.

Water is an integral part of every person’s life. Every day we cook, drink tea or coffee, wash dishes and take a shower. It's no secret that the water entering the premises from a water tap is of poor enough quality.

It contains many different impurities harmful to the body, chlorine and has a disgusting smell. "Bad" water affects the condition of the skin, hair and nails of a person, leading to premature aging.

Each family has repeatedly thought about cleaning methods. drinking water   at home.

First of all, specialized filters can be used for this, but often they are quite expensive. Among the filters can be distinguished.

Flow filters

Such devices attach directly to the tap and work as a result of water pressure.

They can be of two types:

• in the form of a nozzle on the crane

  Photo: nozzles for crane

• built into the water supply itself

  Photo: built into the water supply

The cleaning cartridge is inserted into the container and gradually passes water.

  Photo: storage filters

There are other so-called “grandmother's” methods for high-quality water purification, which require a minimum investment of money, but achieve a qualitative result:

• purification of drinking water with natural stones shungite and silicon. • Cleaning with activated carbon;
• freezing;
• electrolysis;
• silver water purification;
• ozone cleaning;
• mineral water purification.

It is on these methods that we will dwell in more detail in this article.

Mineral Cleaning

Among the most common minerals for the purification of drinking water, silicon, shungite and mountain quartz are distinguished.

These stones are inexpensive, and you can purchase them at any pharmacy. To effectively purify water, first of all, it is necessary to thoroughly rinse and boil the pebbles themselves. Only after that they can be lowered into dishes with water and insisted for about 3 days, if desired, more.

  Photo: put in a bowl of water and insist

Important! After each cycle of water purification, mineral stones must be disinfected by washing and boiling.

Since ancient times, it is believed that with the help of mountain quartz, you can heal many diseases, cleanse the body of harmful substances and recharge with a lot of positive energy. This stone was used in practice by Tibetan monks and Indian yogis.

  Photo: mountain quartz

When quartz interacts with water, the latter changes its structure and tap water, in its properties, turns out to be similar to melted ice water.

It is proved that purified and infused water on mountain quartz contributes to:

• increase vascular elasticity;
• increase the metabolic rate in the body and gradually reduce weight;
• skin rejuvenation and wrinkle smoothing;
• relieving the syndrome of "chronic fatigue";
• improve memory.

Shungite for water purification at home

Shungite is a unique natural stone and an excellent sorbent.

  Photo: shungite

Purification of water from nitrates at home is achieved with the help of this mineral. Moreover, the stone is able to take about 95% of the pollution. In addition, shungite is able to purify water from excessive turbidity and practically "turn" it into a spring.

Water filtered with shungite helps:

• to remove inflammatory processes in the human body;
• get rid of certain types of pain;
• strengthen hair and give it a healthy look;
• restore and strengthen immunity;
• significantly reduce hangover.

In addition, they are used to rinse the mouth, throat and rinse the sinuses. If you cook food on such water for a long time, you can notice significant improvements in the gastrointestinal tract.

Silicon is the most common mineral stone used to purify tap water.

  Photo: silicon

It is scientifically proven that water with a sufficient amount of silicon and purified by it in its properties and quality is very similar to natural spring water. This mineral is vital for the human body.

It contributes to:

• body cleansing;
• normalization of sugar and cholesterol;
• bone restoration;
• increased vascular elasticity;
• fast healing of various wounds;
• strengthening immunity;
• nails and hair growth.

People who have a lack of silicon are most irritable, often feel weak, they are prone to fears. Water purification by freezing at home.

This is the most affordable way to purify water at home, helping to get rid of various salts of heavy metals. Scientists have proven that clean water initially freezes and only after that is polluted.

In order to properly purify water by freezing, it is necessary:

• pour tap water into the container without adding 1 cm to its edge;

  Photo: pour tap water into containers

• put the container in the refrigerator or freeze for about 8 hours. During this time, approximately half of all the liquid freezes;
• gently pierce the top layer of ice and drain the unfrozen liquid. It contains the largest amount of harmful substances;

  Photo: pierce the top layer of ice and drain the unfrozen liquid

• thaw the ice. This is pure water.

Water obtained from pure ice is a good anti-allergen and is recommended for people with bronchial asthma. In addition, melt liquid has strong therapeutic and prophylactic properties.

Meltwater is saturated with oxygen as much as possible. It is recommended that athletes drink it to increase muscle performance.

Such a liquid is necessary in extreme conditions. For example, at high altitude, where there is discharged air or with excessive heat loads.

Video: using silicon and shungite

Activated Carbon Purification

Activated carbon for water treatment is used in most filters. It can also be used independently. With the help of activated carbon, water is purified from lime at home and many other contaminants.

To neutralize water with coal, you must perform the following actions:

• wrap five tablets of activated carbon in gauze and lower them to the bottom of the water tank;

  Photo: activated carbon tablets

  Photo: wrap in gauze

• put the dishes in a cool place and wait 10 to 12 hours. Water must be in a cool room. Otherwise, coal will not only not render water harmless, but, on the contrary, will facilitate the fastest growth of bacteria.

Pure water is ready. There is another way to treat water with activated carbon. To do this, make a gauze layer filled with the drug and attach it to a tap with cold water (you can use special capsules pre-filled with activated charcoal).

  Photo: a capsule is attached to a cold water tap

This method has a significant drawback. Water, for reliable cleaning, must flow in a thin stream, which is not always convenient, and coal requires daily replacement.

Silver cleaning

Silver, as well as activated carbon, well absorbs excess impurities in water. This is a very simple and effective way. In order to purify water with silver, you just need to put an object made of this metal in a bowl of water.

  Photo: silver water purification at home

Silver has excellent bactericidal properties and is capable of killing various microbes. Also, metal is used to store clean water for a long time.

To do this, it is enough to keep the silver product in a vessel with clean water. For example, in this way they receive baptismal water. Many people have long used this time-tested method.

This method also has disadvantages. Firstly, the process of "silvering" of water lasts a long time. This takes several days. Secondly, at home, it is impossible to determine exactly how many metal ions are currently present in water.

And this is very important! From an excess of silver, the human body can receive severe poisoning. Do not immediately be scared and neglect this method. To obtain a high concentration, silver must be in the same water for several months.

Electrolysis at home

The method of water purification by electrolysis is based on the chemical properties of substances. A special device - the electrolyzer is connected to a power source and placed in a container with water.

  Photo: special device - electrolyzer

When an electric current passes through a liquid, it decomposes into its constituent elements - oxygen and hydrogen.

There is a directed movement of the smallest particles of substances that are attracted to the differently directed poles of the device and settle on them.

Using this method, water is purified from fluoride at home and other harmful compounds. The main advantage of using an electrolyzer is a high degree of purification of contaminated water,

And the main drawback is the significant energy consumption. Currently, such household appliances can be purchased in stores of a certain specialization. It looks like this.

  Photo: electrolyzer - a high degree of purification of contaminated water

Their cost is low. Such a device can be made with your own hands. This will require:

• two chemical test tubes;

  Photo: two chemical test tubes

• insulated wires;

  Photo: insulated wires

• battery;

  Photo: Battery

• graphite or carbon electrodes;

  Photo: graphite or carbon electrodes

The whole structure is assembled according to the scheme and the device is ready.

  Photo: assembled construction

This method of water purification is most widely used in large enterprises. Special electrolysis facilities are created there, through which large volumes of used water pass.

This method of purification of industrial water allows you to protect the environment from harmful chemical compounds.

Ozonation to improve drinking water quality

Currently, water purification using ozone is becoming the most popular method. When using an ozonizer from tap water, chlorine and iron impurities can be removed, and these are the most dangerous components of the liquid.

In addition, all extraneous tastes and smells “disappear” from the water, which is also not unimportant. When water is treated with an ozonizer, additional oxygen ions appear in the latter, which contribute to the saturation of the body with this element.

The method of ozonation of water gradually replaces its chlorination, as it better disinfects water. This method is often used in pools and for the purification of natural waters.

Due to its properties, ozone acts on the metabolism of many living cells. Thanks to this, it is able to destroy bacterial cells, spores of fungi and viruses. Gas oxidizes and destroys macromolecular compounds and toxins.

In order to purify water at home by ozonation, you must purchase a special device sold in stores. Such devices may be different in appearance.

Ozonator for water, which is screwed directly to the tap

  Photo: ozonizer for water

The easiest, most convenient and effective way to disinfect fluids. Suitable for most types of cranes and has a long service life. 2.

  Photo: ozonizer household multifunction

It is able to ozonize water, air and various food products. Such a device fights against unpleasant odors in the room by acting on the molecules of the latter.

With it, you can take ozone baths, which have a beneficial effect on the skin and the body as a whole.

  Photo: narrowly targeted devices for ozonation of water

Such devices work only with water, but unlike their predecessors, they are treated several times more efficiently, since, firstly, they come in contact with a limited amount of liquid. Secondly, they are intended for water purification and are as close as possible to their goal.

This article discusses the most common ways to purify water at home. They are very diverse. Some of them are more effective, others less.

Some require large investments, others can be used with minimal or no cost. Some methods not only purify water, but also fill it with useful substances and trace elements. Which method is right for you? Decide for yourself.