How to make drinking water safe at home and avoid illness ahead of Diwali

Food, water and clothing are the basic needs of human beings, and a person cannot live properly without any one of them. People are always advised to drink 3 to 4 litres of water a day to keep the body fresh and healthy. Drinking water keeps the body hydrated and improves health.

The question, however, is whether the water that reaches our homes is truly clean and safe. If there is a fault in the pipelines that supply water, there is a risk of soil, dirt, silt and germs getting into it. For this reason, the Mumbai municipal corporation has asked people in some areas to boil water before drinking it for 7 days.

When water is released again after the repair of a reservoir, its quality is affected. The quality of the water deteriorates and it mainly carries debris. As a precaution, people have been advised to boil the water before drinking. Drinking dirty or contaminated water sharply raises the risk of diarrhoea, vomiting and diseases such as typhoid. Water should therefore always be heated before it is drunk. Here is what can be done to make drinking water clean.

If the water is contaminated or visibly dirty, heat it before drinking. This helps destroy bacteria, viruses and parasites in the water. Take the required quantity of drinking water in a pot and heat it until it comes to a boil. Then set it aside to cool. Once cooled, strain the water and store it in a clean, covered container. However, boiling does not necessarily remove bacteria or harmful substances completely. People should therefore not rely on hot water alone and should take other suitable measures as well.

If silt or soil is visible in the water, strain it first instead of heating it directly. Then boil the water and strain it once more through a thin cotton cloth. Straining through an ordinary cloth does not remove all germs, so it is better to boil the water first and strain it afterwards.

If the home has an RO, UV or any other type of water purifier, it needs care too. Have the water-purifying equipment cleaned properly once every 3 to 4 months. Instead of depending on a purifier or other household appliances, it is very important to take care oneself as well.

This information is for general awareness only and does not claim to offer any treatment. Consult your doctor before trying any remedy.