Can you boil filtered water?

In any nutrient liquid, microorganisms begin to multiply over time. You need to boil filtered water if it sits in the tank for more than 7 hours. Filtration removes harmful impurities from the liquid, making it lighter and more transparent. However, various bacteria and viruses are eliminated only by certain types of filters and boiling. In fact, filtering and boiling are two fundamentally different methods of water purification, which have their own advantages and disadvantages.

What does filtering do?

Filters are devices that purify liquids by straining. There are several varieties:

• Mechanical. They purify water by retaining harmful impurities on granular material (sand, gravel, etc.). They are mainly used to remove suspended particles - silt, soil, sand.
• Sorptive. The role of the sorbent is most often played by coal. Water passes through the barrier, as a result, rust, insoluble organic matter, lead, arsenic and other particles larger than 10 micrometers in size disappear from it.
• Bactericidal. To remove bacteria, silver filters and expensive ultraviolet disinfectants are used. The latter are considered more effective and, among other things, purify water from viruses.
• Membrane. They pass water through the smallest pores and purify almost all harmful substances, bacteria, and impurities.

The type of filter is chosen depending on the quality of the water and the nature of the contaminants.Some cope better with sand and silt impurities, while others disinfect effectively. Membrane filtration removes everything at once, but also removes useful minerals.

What does boiling do?

The most accessible and widespread method of water purification in everyday life has been and remains boiling. According to the rules, it needs to be boiled for 3–15 minutes, and then allowed time to cool and settle. What does this give?

• Destroys bacteria and viruses (not all).
• Softens water, converting hardness salts into an insoluble state - scale.
• Eliminates dissolved gases - chlorine and others.

However, boiling has many disadvantages. For example, when exposed to high temperatures, chlorine from tap water forms toxic compounds. Also, with this cleaning method, almost all oxygen disappears from the liquid. Boiling does not get rid of rust, sand and many other impurities.

When should you boil filtered water?

Filtration is considered the best way to purify water today. If the filter is selected correctly, there is no need to boil it additionally. With the exception of one case - if the filtered water sits for 7 hours or more. At this time, microorganisms begin to multiply in it, especially if the container is in the sun. It is better to boil such water before use.

It also makes sense for owners of mechanical and sorption filters, which are ineffective against viruses and bacteria, to think about boiling.

What harm can come from boiling filtered water?

Boiling as a cleaning method is itself controversial. Many scientists call boiled water “dead”, devoid of all benefits. It cannot be used for an aquarium. It is unnatural for living organisms.

But in some contaminated areas, boiling is dictated by necessity. Even if disinfection stations are operating, the condition of the water pipes leaves much to be desired - tap water will pose a health hazard. It is especially important to boil raw water before drinking by children.

As for boiling filtered water, the harm from the procedure is hardly greater than from boiling ordinary raw water. It may be less healthy due to its low saturation of beneficial minerals. But if disinfection is dictated by necessity, then it is better to resort to it.

To avoid harm from boiled water, you need to follow 3 simple rules: regularly clean the kettle from limescale, do not boil the water twice or for too long.

So, to purify water, it is enough to install the right type of filter. This will eliminate the need to boil it. Of course, there is no need to collect it and store it for a long time, because after a while the liquid is colonized by microorganisms. You need to drink fresh filtered water. But if you only have collected water or need to make tea, you can resort to boiling. Such a liquid will be less useful, but will not cause harm.