The Best Way To Filter Pond Water For Drinking

Like any source of water, pond water can contain a wide variety of contaminants with negative health effects. PCBs, pesticides, parasites, heavy metals, protozoa, bacteria and viruses can make their way into pond water supplies. Make pond water safer for drinking using one or more methods.

Methods

Water filtration systems are a good first step for purifying pond water because they remove protozoa and bacteria. Portable water filters are available for sale. Some require you to pump the water from the source into your container, but others simply require gravity to work. Filters with pore size efficiency of less than .4 microns are the most effective for removing harmful toxicants.

Water purification tablets provide another good option. These tablets use iodine or other chemicals to kill harmful bacteria. Unfortunately, they do not taste very good. They also have a limited shelf life. Check the box or information included with any tablets you wish to purchase or have previously obtained to make sure you use them before they expire.

Although rarely used, chlorine liquid bleach does have the ability to kill bacteria and viruses, though not harmful chemicals, radioactive particles or all protozoa, in pond water. Simply add 8 drops of 5.25 percent or 6 percent strength liquid bleach per gallon of warm, clear water (cloudy water requires twice as much), wait an hour or longer and drink the water if there is a faint chlorine scent. If not, add the same amount of bleach and wait another hour. Remember that chlorine has other harmful effects on the body so use this method only in emergencies.

After filtering or purifying pond water, boil it to remove any residual toxicants. Boil the water thoroughly for at least 10 minutes. Although boiling kills protozoa, viruses and bacteria, it does not neutralize harmful chemicals or radioactive particles. To improve the taste of boiled water, stir it to add oxygen back in. Adding a little salt, powdered drink mixes or vitamin C also improves the flavor, as can pouring the water from one (clean, sterile) container to another. Water that has been boiled should be consumed within 24 hours.

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