Is it necessary to purify water during monsoon?

With the arrival of the monsoon in Kerala, the country will finally get some relief from the scorching summer. In India, the monsoon is not only critical for agriculture but also plays a crucial role in replenishing reservoirs. That critical role of monsoon also comes with its own concern, the possible contamination of drinking water. 

Monsoons are the season when a host of waterborne diseases become dominant and spread fast due to the possible contamination of our water sources. In order to stay healthy and fight against any waterborne disease, it is important to purify water during monsoon. From being a carrier of multiple waterborne illnesses to compromising the quality of drinking water, monsoons can severely impact our water resources and thus require adequate water purification. 

Why is it necessary to purify water during monsoon?

Monsoon is our primary method of finding some relief from heat, but it is also the season when the water quality gets heavily compromised. There are many possibilities for this including open water contaminating clean water by seeping into underground tanks, wells, and damaged pipes. 

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During heavy rains, the stagnated water becomes a vehicle for waterborne diseases such as cholera, jaundice, multiple types of viruses, bacteria and more. It often leaves us with unfiltered water containing bacteria, heavy metals, and other toxic materials. The only way to get rid of these harmful compounds from water during monsoon is by purifying it. 

In addition to ensuring access to safe and clean drinking water, water purification during monsoon also helps keep any risk of waterborne diseases at bay. The common pollutants infiltrating our water during monsoon include sediments, chemicals, pesticides, fertilisers, and bacteria. 

By purifying water, using methods such as filtration, disinfection, and chemical treatment, you can remove or kill these pathogens and make the water safe to drink again. There are other purification methods such as boiling, chlorination, and using an advanced water purifier with activated carbon filters and UV technology can effectively eliminate any disease vectors present in your water supply. 

Monsoon is the time when water gets contaminated easily either through seepage of contaminated water into groundwater sources or due to the overflowing of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, which become a breeding ground for disease-carrying mosquitoes. 

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With the help of proper water purification methods, you can remove these contaminants and improve the quality of your water supply. It is also necessary to purify water to minimise the risk of crop failure and economic losses connected to it. 

Water purification: 6 methods you need to know

It is extremely critical to purify water during the monsoon season. This is mainly primarily done to remove any contaminants present in the drinking water and also to keep any forms of waterborne diseases at bay. While purifying water is also important during monsoon for economic reasons, a common person gains immediate access to safe drinking water. Here are three ways to purify water during monsoon. 

1. Boiling 

This is the most common method used to purify water during monsoon. Most Indian households tend to boil drinking water as a precautionary measure and it really helps. By boiling water, you can effectively kill most viruses and bacteria. This method is particularly effective if your water source is municipal, and is already treated and filtered before it reaches your home. While boiled water can be safely consumed, it is not 100 per cent safe since the process does not remove heavy metals or toxins present in the water. 

2. Filtration 

Another common method for water purification during monsoon is filtration, where the water is passed through various filters to capture particles, sediments, and contaminants of different sizes. The filters made from materials like activated carbon, ceramic, or sand are used to physically trap impurities in the water. This process effectively removes large contaminants but fails to remove all types of contaminants. 

3. Reverse Osmosis (RO) water purification 

This is the most effective way to get clean and safe drinking water during the monsoon. RO stands for reverse osmosis and it works by pushing the water through a semipermeable membrane under pressure. This process only allows water molecules to pass through while dissolved salts and other contaminants are blocked by the membrane. This process is capable of removing all the impurities, particles, pathogens, and even high TDS sources in the water. It is suitable for the purification of all kinds of water sources and even purifies water with TDS as high as 2000ppm. 

4. Ultraviolet (UV) water purification 

A UV water purifier uses UV rays to kill all the bacteria and viruses present in the water. It is capable of eliminating bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms and renders them unable to reproduce. Since the process does not involve use of any chemicals, it is environmentally friendly and also retains the natural minerals present in water. This process is recommended if the TDS of your water is below 200ppm and the source of water is municipal. 

5. Chemical disinfection 

During monsoon, chemicals like chlorine and iodine are used to disinfect water since they kill microorganisms present in your drinking water. They are easy to carry but leave an aftertaste and are found to be less effective against certain types of parasites and cysts. 

6. Activated carbon treatment 

An activated carbon treatment is an effective water purification method to remove organic chemicals from water.

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It is often used in filters to remove chemicals that give an aftertaste or leave odour in water such as hydrogen sulphide or chlorine. They are often used in conjunction with other methods of water purification. 

The idea of switching to safe drinking water is no longer an uphill task as water purifiers have become easily available also affordable. With the monsoon not further away from reaching our shores, it would be the right time to invest in a water purifier and get access to safe drinking water.