Does Boiling Tap Water Purify It?

If you don't have safe bottled water or a water filter, you may want to try boiling your water to make it safer to drink. Boiling water is one of the most efficient methods of purification. Many organisms cannot survive in boiling water. In fact, no organism can survive for longer than 30 minutes in water above 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Why Is It Necessary to Boil Tap Water?

Boiling water makes it safer to drink in the event of biological contamination. Bacteria and other harmful organisms can be killed off by bringing your water to a boil for a few minutes. It is necessary to boil your water because it contains a variety of organisms like protozoa, viruses, and bacteria. Certain bacteria can be harmful to humans and may cause digestive issues, diarrhea, and cramping. Boiling tap water helps kill off harmful bacteria but keeps the minerals in the water intact.

What Is the Benefit of Boiling Tap Water?

Simply put, boiling your tap water purifies it from harmful microorganisms that could make you sick like E. coli, hepatitis A, salmonella, and Giardia lamblia. The boiling process makes it possible to bring your tap water to a safe microbiological level. However, it should be noted that boiling your water does not remove potentially harmful compounds and toxic chemicals—only microorganisms.