If you’ve ever read about water purification on internet forums or social media, it’s likely that you encountered at least one person who asked, “how long should water be boiled before it’s considered safe?” This is a common question, and one that’s prudent to ask — after all, you wouldn’t want to take any chances of consuming bacteria or protozoa that will make you severely ill. This question has unfortunately led to some viruses and bacteria spreading. Misinformation ( ) (Register for our Free Newsletter Stay up to date with more life-saving information like this!
Above: Although this water appears clear and clean, it may contain invisible pathogens which will ruin your day.
It is important to have clean water.
It is important to use clean, safe water in everyday situations and emergencies. Water is the key to health, hygiene, and survival. Water that is contaminated can contain harmful chemicals and microorganisms, which can lead to serious health issues. Contaminated water can spread diseases such as cholera and dysentery. By drinking clean water, you can significantly reduce your chances of contracting and spreading diseases.
Clean water is crucial for the body’s absorption of nutrients. Clean water is essential for digestion and ensuring that nutrients are absorbed properly by the body. Safe water is essential in emergency situations. You are less susceptible to disease at times of limited medical resources. It is important to stay hydrated in order to maintain energy and good health, particularly during times of emergency when physical exertion or stress may be high.
It is important to have clean water for everyday hygiene activities like hand washing, cleaning and cooking. It is essential for preventing infection, maintaining a healthy environment, and promoting sanitation. To prevent foodborne diseases, it is essential to use clean water for cleaning and cooking food. This can be especially dangerous in an emergency situation.
Boiling Water
First of all, you may hear self-proclaimed “experts” on the internet say that water must be boiled for a minimum time This minimum boiling time can be 5 minutes, 10 or 20 minutes. This minimum boiling time constraint is a The myth of the ‘Mythical Being’We’ll tell you why.
According to scientific research, waterborne pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and protozoa are inactivated or killed at high temperatures. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a At least one minute of rolling boilThis will kill the majority of bacteria, protozoas, and viruses.
Most bacteria, protozoa and viruses will be killed in temperatures as low as 150°F, and we know that water boils* at 212°F (100°C). Water is safe to consume once it has reached rolling boil.
Boiling water at Higher Altitudes
*Now, there is one important clarification: the 212°F boiling point we mentioned is at The sea levelTemperature of boiling water Changes with altitude. The boiling point of the water drops as you rise above sea level. For example, at 10,000 feet, the boiling point drops to 193.6°F (89.8°C). Mount Everest, at 29,029 feet high, has a boiling point of 158degF (70degC). Everest, an immense 29,029 feet, the boiling point is 158°F (70°C). Bring water to a rolling boiled will kill pathogens even at the top of Everest. Less than 1 Minute. The CDC recommends that you boil the water for three minutes if you are above 6,562 feet.
Although altitude affects the boiling point of a water source, it is not enough to influence its purification.
Filtering water
If you go to the local camping store and buy a filter, it will eliminate the need to boil water. If you’re not aware of all the subtleties, you may be buying a misleading product. If you want to make sure that you are getting the right filter, you should know what it means.
Most water filters and purifiers have a rating that states they remove 99.X% or more of bacteria, viruses, and protozoan cysts. Each digit in this percentage represents a power of 10, also called a “log” (short for logarithm). For example, a filter rated to remove 99.99 percent of bacteria would be rated at a “4-log bacteria reduction.”
If your water had exactly 1,000,000 microbes in it, a 4-log reduction would mean only 100 of those microbes would be left in the water after treatment — 999,900 microbes would be removed. Only 1 microbe would remain in the water after a 6-log or 99.999 percent reduction.
Our water filter buyer’s guide will explain all of this more thoroughly. The short version is that not all water filters are the same, so it’s important to do some research before you rely on them for drinking safe water. Watch the video to learn how water filters function and what to look out for on a filter’s label.
Disinfecting water
In emergency situations, where clean water is not available, the ability to disinfect water becomes crucial. This is an important aspect of preparedness and survival. Here are some ways to make water safe for drinking.
- Chemical disinfectants Like iodine tablets or chlorine tablets, they are portable and highly effective against a variety of pathogens. The tablets make a good addition to any bug-out bag, or other portable emergency kits. On the downside, they can leave a bad taste and may not be effective against some cysts such as Cryptosporidium.
- Portable UV light There are purifiers available. Purifiers can be used to kill a variety of microorganisms. This includes those resistant against chlorine. They require batteries and they may not be effective in water that is cloudy or turbid.
- Distillation Distillation involves heating water, collecting the vapor and removing contaminants. Distillation is a way to remove chemicals, bacteria, viruses and protozoa. The process is energy-intensive and may not always be the best option.
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- Q: How long do you have to boil water for it to be sterile
A: You have 1 minute if your height is below 6,562ft, and 3 minutes if it’s above 6,562ft
- Q: Does boiling the water for 10 minutes sterilize or not?
A: You can, but it shouldn’t take more than 3 minutes to boil. - Q: Does boiling water 30 minutes result in sterilization?
A: It is possible, but it would be excessive unless your goal was to distill water. - Q: How quickly can you sterilize your water?
A: In terms of speed using a properly rated filter will probably be the fastest followed by boiling. Chemical treatment and distillation is the slowest. - Q: How long do I need to boil the water in the microwave for it to be sterilized?
A: Microwaves can also be dangerous. Microwaves are capable of heating water to boiling temperatures without it appearing to boil. If you leave the water in the microwave for too long, it can become overheated and erupt violently into steam. Boiling water in another way is safer and more accurate because you can see how long it takes to boil. - Q: Does boiling the water kill bacteria or just heat it up?
A: Yes. The boiling water kills bacteria, protozoa and viruses. - Is boiling water safe to drink or not?
A: Yes, it is possible. Boiling water can kill biological agents but it won’t remove radiation or chemical contaminants. Boiling doesn’t remove dissolved organic material, which is what makes lakes and rivers look brown and amber, and gives them a different taste.
Final Thoughts
Anyway, don’t just take our word for it — listen to the scientists. Here’s a direct quote from an article titled “Water Disinfection for International and Wilderness Travelers” from the Oxford Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases:
“Because enteric pathogens are killed within seconds by boiling water and are killed rapidly at temperatures >60°C [or >140°F], It is not necessary to boil water for a period of 10 minutes in order to make sure that it is potable. Because the time required to heat water from a temperature of 55°C [or 131°F] Boiling water is a good way to disinfect it. After boiling water, you can disinfect it by bringing the water to a boil for 1 minute. You can also keep water covered while allowing it a slow cooling. Extra safety margin. As altitude increases, the boiling point drops. Not Significant when compared with the time required to achieve thermal death at these temperatures.”
Here’s the bottomline: Water Does not include Boiling water for at least 5, 10 or 20 minutes is required to make it safe to drink. By the time it reaches a rolling boil, it can be considered safe, regardless of your altitude. (Note: This is assuming that there are no heavy metals or harmful chemicals, such as lead or pesticides. You’ll need to use a water purifier/filter to remove these contaminants. You can continue boiling for an additional 1 to 3 minutes. combine the methods discussed above for an extra margin of safety — if you’ve got a few minutes to spare, it won’t hurt, but shouldn’t be considered mandatory.
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