Does boiling water make it completely safe to drink?

Boiling water is a highly effective method of killing harmful organisms such as bacteria and viruses. I use this method to purify water when the power goes out and my filtering system is no longer working. Water is biologically safe if it is brought to a rapid boil for one minute. This method saved our lives during a hurricane when floodwater polluted our water supply.

Boiling concentrates certain contaminants as the water evaporates. Nitrates become even more dangerous for infants. Heavy metals do not vaporize. After boiling the water from a creek on a camping trip, tests showed higher lead levels than before it was treated. Always filter out water that is obviously contaminated first.

Fuel needs make it impractical to boil substances for long periods of time. My propane consumption tripled during a week of boil advisory. Electricity-dependent methods of distilling are available. Even in emergency cases, solar cookers provide some aid as they require no fuel to operate.

Combine boiling with other methods for comprehensive safety. I always pre-filter my turbid water through a cloth before cooking. I also add chlorine tablets after cooling for residual protection. This multi-layer system was necessary during the flood recovery period. Often, more than one potential threat was present.

Evaluate water quality after attempting any purification. Use test strips only to analyze pH and chlorine contents. Use laboratories to analyze heavy metals. I was made aware of the existence of nitrate contamination only after facility tests, after boiling. Never assume that the treatment applied or visual quality tests indicate that the water is safe for consumption and can be used without further evaluation.

Read the full article: How to Filter Water: Essential Methods Explained