How to Purify Contaminated Water for Drinking

Whether you're the victim of a natural disaster or simply hiking in the woods, clean water is key. Water keeps you hydrated, lubricates your muscles and aids all cell functions. Staying hydrated also helps you keep a clear head and act sensibly in an emergency or when setting up camp. Though you may not always have access to clean water or have emergency water in supply, many purification methods exist. According to Escambia Emergency, none of these purification methods are 100 percent safe, so combining them works best.

Spaghetti pot
Heat source
Unscented chlorine bleach
Water purification tablets

Instructions

- 1
  Pour the contaminated water into a large spaghetti pot. Place the pot over a heat source, like a wood fire, charcoal grill, hot plate or camping stove. Anything that can cook food to safe temperatures will work.
- 2
  Bring the water to a rolling boil and let it boil for at least two minutes. Boil hazy water for up to four minutes. This kills most of the bacteria and parasites.
- 3
  Remove the water from the heat and let it cool for about 10 minutes, or until you can stick a finger in it comfortably.
- 4
  Drip about two drops of unscented chlorine bleach per quart of water into the pot. Hazy water requires up to four drops per quart. Taste the water; it should taste a little like chlorinated pool water.
- 5
  Add one water purification tablet to the pot for each quart of water, or two tablets for hazy water. Read the package instructions before using; different brands may have different instructions, depending on strength. You can get purification tablets at most camping or kitchen stores.
- 6
  Allow the tablets to dissolve completely. You may stir the water a little if they're not totally gone in about five minutes. The water should now be safe to drink. It may taste a little acid, but it's safe.

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