Did you know that contaminated drinking water is thought to be the cause of 775,000 deaths annually? Consider the fact that almost one and a half people are added each minute. Because most of our water sources are safe for human consumption, this is not a concern that is widely held in the United States. Given that the majority of people worldwide cannot access the same conveniences as a more developed nation, tap water is actually quite a luxury. Nevertheless, it never hurts to have a reliable water filter system on hand in case the worst happens, no matter where you live.
One of the first rules of preparation is to have a way to get clean drinking water if your source of water is uncontrollable. Let’s examine the top emergency water filter choices currently on the market and think about which design would work best for you.
Risk of Contaminants in Untreated Water Sources
Untreated water sources are accustomed to having contaminants in them. Water treatment facilities are therefore necessary in order to supply the safest tap water across the US. However, the responsibility ends once the water enters your property. Your family may be at risk from a variety of contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, heavy metals, and even sediment if you don’t know the state of your pipes and home at the moment. Check here to learn more about under sink water filter system.
Illnesses & Infection
Bacteria and viruses that are ingested through food or water can cause serious infections and illnesses. Simply by consuming water from an untreated source, people can become infected with cholera, typhoid fever, Legionnaire’s disease, hepatitis, E. Coli, polio, and other diseases. While the majority of these problems merely upset the system, some of them might be severe enough to warrant a trip to the hospital.
Affected Organs
Drinking untreated water can be hazardous for more reasons than just viruses and bacteria. Lead, aluminum, and other heavy metals are among those that are carried by natural water. Filtration reduces the number of heavy metals to a level that is generally regarded as safe.
However, the naturally occurring quantity found in lakes, streams, or rivers could be hazardous to your general health in an emergency. Heavy metals have an impact on organs and the immune system, particularly the skin, liver, and kidneys, which are not typically taken into account. When exposed to high levels of toxins over time, your liver may not properly detoxify your body, which can result in conditions getting worse.
Emergency Preparedness Water Treatment Methods
Have you thought about putting emergency supplies in your home? Any adult needs more than 32 ounces of water on average each day to maintain the right levels of urine output. Are you equipped to supply enough clean drinking water in the event that the power goes out, taking this number into account? You can provide your entire family with clean drinking water in a few different ways.
Water Filtration System
A common and widely accessible type of water treatment is a water filtration system, which is offered in a range of models, styles, and methodologies. You can be sure that a water filtration system exists to meet your needs, no matter what they may be. Water filtration systems can be used in the home, in a camper or RV, or in an off-the-grid setting like a yurt, and range from electric units to gravity-fed.
A water test can be used to determine the exact type of water filter you should buy if you’re looking to buy one for your home. The contaminants in your tap water play a major role in determining the type of water filter cartridge you should use. A straightforward mail-in water test can be extremely helpful in this situation. You could also get in touch with your neighborhood water facility and ask for their yearly water report.
UV Sterilization
Although one of the best ways to purify water is with a UV sterilization unit, there are advantages and disadvantages to using one. The risk of the occasional contaminant passing through a standard water filter exists, whereas UV sterilization makes this impossible. This kind of system works well alone or in conjunction with water filtration because it consistently kills microorganisms using UV light. The UV’s inability to oxidize heavy metals and chlorine is a drawback, though.
Boiling Water
It is significant to note that only a genuine emergency should call for boiling water. Although this procedure neutralizes dangerous pathogens like viruses and bacteria, it is unable to get rid of other kinds of impurities. The overall structure of the impurity is weakened by the heat, but heavy metal, among other things, cannot be eliminated. Furthermore, distillation, which we covered in another article, cannot be compared to boiling.
Best Survival Water Filter
After talking about the various techniques and designs for purifying water in an emergency, let’s take a quick look at the top three water filters for a survival situation. The general efficacy, cost, and usability of these were taken into consideration when selecting them.
Waterdrop King Tank Gravity-Fed Water Filter
For survival situations, we prefer the King Tank Gravity-Fed water filter from Waterdrop. In addition to not requiring electricity to run, it also offers the best efficiency for removing contaminants, solids, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and other things. Whether you need a water filtration system for everyday use or to store for an emergency, it is the best option for purifying water. In the end, the Waterdrop King Tank Gravity-Fed Water Filter won’t let you down.